Selangor delegation from Malaysia visited Commerce Development Research Institute yesterday（11th April）, including Selangor State Executive Councillor Mr. Ir. Izham Hashim and the Assistant Director of the Selangor State Economic Planning Unit. Chairman Hsu pointed out that he is looking forward to exporting the successful experience of Taiwan's agriculture technique and marketing methods to Malaysia under the New Southbound policy.
Selangor contributes RM2,399.8 billion (approximately US$55.5 billion) in Malaysia’s GDP, accounting for a quarter of GDP. Commercial, industrial and service sectors accounting for major economic activities in Selangor and take up 58% of the GDP. The Selangor State Council delegation contacted CDRI through the local Taiwanese business and arranged a five-day trip including the visit to the Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Taiwan Orchid Growers Association in Tainan City, Pingtung University and Donggang Biotechnology Research Center.
Chairman Hsu of CDRI said that the price stability in Taiwan is maintained by supply and demand. Therefore, there will be the implementation of fallow and crop rotation. We also import agricultural products from the United States and the Middle East to balance the trading. In recent years, in line with the government's New Southbound policy, CDRI has been actively assisting SMEs in expanding the Southeast Asian market. This meeting is expected to strengthen mutual understanding between Taiwan and Malaysia to facilitate future common interests in agriculture, aquaculture and service industries. Chairman Hsu even pointed out that Taiwan's flower planting technology is unique and advanced, among which orchids are even more outstanding. During the visit, members of the delegation are also scheduled to visit Taiwan Orchid Growers Association.
Representative Mr. Ir. Izham Hashim said that Selangor is the most populous state in the country with advanced infrastructure and well developed industrial sector, providing a high quality of living environment. Selangor attracts many foreign investors, but because of the limited cultivated land, materials needed rely on imports. Although the government controls the price of the products, which is different from the free market in Taiwan, however, he hopes that through this trip, they will have a further understanding on Taiwan’s agricultural industry and marketing strategy to improve the agricultural competitiveness of Selangor.
Director General Huang of the Commerce Development and Strategy Research Division of CDRI pointed out that Taiwan has excellent talents and technology, and Malaysia has vast land and abundant resources; the two sides may cooperate in the agricultural industry and help the SMEs with internationalization. The national think tank can set up a communication channel between the companies and the government. It is also expected to construct a regional ecosystem base on a robust platform between Taiwan and Malaysia.
During the discussions and exchanges between the two sides, the members of the Selangor State also expressed a high interest in Taiwan's organic agricultural products. Chairman Hsu further explained that the number of farmers investing in organic agriculture in Taiwan had increased year by year, the Traceability Agricultural Product system established in recent years has refined Taiwan's agriculture. With farming techniques such as hydroponic cultivation and greenhouse cultivation, Taiwan's agricultural technology has reached international standards, and it is expected to replicate the successful model to the southbound countries to help them improve the quality of agricultural products.
