(Kuala Lumpur, 18th) Despite efforts by business organizations in China and Malaysia to actively promote technology company connections and stimulate willingness for cross-border cooperation, there are still real-world challenges in moving from negotiations to substantial collaborations.
Dato' Li Zhongping, President of the Malaysia-China Entrepreneur Association (PUCM), admits that especially in terms of market scale, resource allocation, and operating mechanisms, there are still certain gaps between companies in the two regions.
He pointed out that Chinese enterprises tend to seek large-scale and rapid expansion, whereas most Malaysian enterprises are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not match the capacity and pace initially.
"The main challenge faced is the significant difference in business scale and market share requirements. Chinese enterprises have significant expectations for market share and scale, while most Malaysian enterprises are SMEs. It requires time for both sides to harmonize and adjust to reach a consensus."
PUCM previously held the 5th China Smart Technology Exhibition and the 10th Anniversary Appreciation Luncheon, during which he was interviewed by Bernama about the specific issues of cross-regional business cooperation.
Asked which aspects of cooperation local companies are most interested in, he said Malaysian companies are generally most interested in cooperation in technology transfer, localization applications, and regional business development.
"Chinese companies have strong R&D capabilities, technical reserves, and capital advantages. If they can closely collaborate with Malaysian companies in areas such as product localization, marketing strategies, and after-sales support, it will be easier to open markets in Southeast Asia and along the Belt and Road."
Despite the challenges, Li Zhongping said that the mentioned Technology Exhibition still has broad development prospects and ever-expanding areas of cooperation.
He noted that this year's exhibition attracted numerous companies covering smart cities, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and satellite technology, providing new opportunities for deepening technology transfer, localization, and regional market expansion.
"Substantial cooperation mainly involves information and communication technology, smart city solutions, CCTV monitoring, telecom communications, and AI (artificial intelligence) solutions."
"Due to some companies involving commercial confidentiality, we cannot disclose names and some cooperation details. However, judging from the nature of the participating companies at each exhibition, the areas of cooperation are becoming increasingly comprehensive."
"For this year's exhibition, we have companies involved in low-orbit satellites, attracting many practitioners from the industry for discussions and exchanges; additionally, the signed MOUs have increased, such as between the Malaysian Space Agency (SMA) and the China Satellite Navigation and Positioning Association (GLAC), continuously expanding business scope."
It is understood that during the Tech Exhibition, SMA and GLAC officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committed to promoting the extensive application of satellite navigation technology, data service integration, and space technology in the ASEAN region.
The collaboration covers fields such as satellite navigation and Beidou applications, satellite data integration and service provision, joint space application development, policy advocacy and regulatory coordination, research and commercialization, talent development and capacity building, market access and promotion, as well as international cooperation and exchange promotion. It aims to assist ASEAN member states in digital transformation in areas like agriculture, maritime affairs, urban planning, environmental monitoring, logistics, and disaster response through technological synergies and resource sharing. A joint working group will be formed to implement key projects.
Additionally, Li Zhongping mentioned that the Technology Exhibition provides an excellent platform for displaying and exchanging between companies from both countries. Many companies hope that future exhibitions can further strengthen business-to-business (B2B) matching arrangements and on-site evaluations of quality local enterprises.
With increasingly close ties between the technology sectors in China and Malaysia, the scope of cooperation between enterprises is continuously expanding. He hopes the Technology Exhibition will continue to play its role in promoting bilateral technological cooperation and regional innovation exchanges, paving the way for companies from both regions to create a future in the digital economy and high-tech fields.
Dato' Li Zhongping, President of the Malaysia-China Entrepreneur Association (PUCM), admits that especially in terms of market scale, resource allocation, and operating mechanisms, there are still certain gaps between companies in the two regions.
He pointed out that Chinese enterprises tend to seek large-scale and rapid expansion, whereas most Malaysian enterprises are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not match the capacity and pace initially.
"The main challenge faced is the significant difference in business scale and market share requirements. Chinese enterprises have significant expectations for market share and scale, while most Malaysian enterprises are SMEs. It requires time for both sides to harmonize and adjust to reach a consensus."
PUCM previously held the 5th China Smart Technology Exhibition and the 10th Anniversary Appreciation Luncheon, during which he was interviewed by Bernama about the specific issues of cross-regional business cooperation.
Asked which aspects of cooperation local companies are most interested in, he said Malaysian companies are generally most interested in cooperation in technology transfer, localization applications, and regional business development.
"Chinese companies have strong R&D capabilities, technical reserves, and capital advantages. If they can closely collaborate with Malaysian companies in areas such as product localization, marketing strategies, and after-sales support, it will be easier to open markets in Southeast Asia and along the Belt and Road."
Despite the challenges, Li Zhongping said that the mentioned Technology Exhibition still has broad development prospects and ever-expanding areas of cooperation.
He noted that this year's exhibition attracted numerous companies covering smart cities, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and satellite technology, providing new opportunities for deepening technology transfer, localization, and regional market expansion.
"Substantial cooperation mainly involves information and communication technology, smart city solutions, CCTV monitoring, telecom communications, and AI (artificial intelligence) solutions."
"Due to some companies involving commercial confidentiality, we cannot disclose names and some cooperation details. However, judging from the nature of the participating companies at each exhibition, the areas of cooperation are becoming increasingly comprehensive."
"For this year's exhibition, we have companies involved in low-orbit satellites, attracting many practitioners from the industry for discussions and exchanges; additionally, the signed MOUs have increased, such as between the Malaysian Space Agency (SMA) and the China Satellite Navigation and Positioning Association (GLAC), continuously expanding business scope."
It is understood that during the Tech Exhibition, SMA and GLAC officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committed to promoting the extensive application of satellite navigation technology, data service integration, and space technology in the ASEAN region.
The collaboration covers fields such as satellite navigation and Beidou applications, satellite data integration and service provision, joint space application development, policy advocacy and regulatory coordination, research and commercialization, talent development and capacity building, market access and promotion, as well as international cooperation and exchange promotion. It aims to assist ASEAN member states in digital transformation in areas like agriculture, maritime affairs, urban planning, environmental monitoring, logistics, and disaster response through technological synergies and resource sharing. A joint working group will be formed to implement key projects.
Additionally, Li Zhongping mentioned that the Technology Exhibition provides an excellent platform for displaying and exchanging between companies from both countries. Many companies hope that future exhibitions can further strengthen business-to-business (B2B) matching arrangements and on-site evaluations of quality local enterprises.
With increasingly close ties between the technology sectors in China and Malaysia, the scope of cooperation between enterprises is continuously expanding. He hopes the Technology Exhibition will continue to play its role in promoting bilateral technological cooperation and regional innovation exchanges, paving the way for companies from both regions to create a future in the digital economy and high-tech fields.