Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has been honoured as the Guest of Honour at the Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair 2026 in China, thus opening up a great opportunity to market local village products to the international market. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the expo is one of the world's largest trade expos with a trade value of over RM200 billion this year, and Malaysia's selection as the guest of honour reflects the international community's high recognition of the country's product capabilities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, KPKT together with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will set up the Malaysia Pavilion at Harbin Expo 2026 to introduce village products such as sambal ikan bilis, bird's nest, and shrimp crackers which are now gaining popularity. He said the selection was also in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the rural community economy through the One Village, One Product policy, which encourages each village to produce products or brands that can penetrate the global market.
Nga Kor Ming highlighted that there are 613 new villages and 16,000 traditional villages nationwide, and if each village succeeds in producing a superior product, it can boost the local economy, open up job opportunities, and retain the younger generation in their hometowns. Commenting on the Kampung Baru programme in Johor which took place from Oct 24 to 26, he said a total of 36 new products were recognised as 'Kampung Good' at this expo, making a total of 57 products that received recognition since the programme was introduced two years ago.
The expo recorded more than 50,000 visitors with a sales value of more than RM300,000, in addition to participating in various cultural activities and heritage exhibitions that strengthen the spirit of unity among the multi-racial community. KPKT together with NGOs will help 'Kampung Good' entrepreneurs market their products and obtain halal certificates to enable village products to penetrate the international market.
Nga Kor Ming also announced plans to upgrade the Kampung Baru Expo to the national level in 2026 in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year, aiming to expand participation and make it one of the largest expos in the history of KPKT's organisation. The four main directions of the Kampung Baru Chinese Division (BKBC) of improving infrastructure, tourism, beautification, and Kampung Good products are now showing positive results.
He added that KPKT would work with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) to ensure balanced progress between traditional villages and new villages. "This is the spirit of Malaysia MADANI so that no one is left behind, no one is marginalised," he said.