MUKAH: Minister of Agriculture and Agro Based Industry, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek was confident that the temporary ban on Malaysia Birdnest’s products by China would be lifted in the very near future.
He pointed out that it was following the proactive and diplomatic moves taken by Malaysia towards that end. He also viewed the existing cordial relationship which he regarded at its highest level between China and Malaysia would contribute towards that much anticipated event.
“In fact now we are still in talk with China on the matter and based on the positive reaction from them thus far, I believe the ban would be lifted soon,” he said.
He disclosed that at present the nation is producing a total of 400 metric ton of edible bird nests (EBN) annually which he believed would increase from time to time. The minister said this to the media after having High-Tea and dialogue session with swiftlet rearing entrepreneurs at Kingwood Resort Mukah here, yesterday.
The event was attended by hundreds of entrepreneurs in the area and beyond including some from West Malaysia. In his speech at the function, Ahmad Shabery said the local swiftlet birdnest products were exported to 13 countries in the world with China, Hong Kong and Vietnam as the largest importers. Hence, he promised to make the EBN products of Malaysia as the best in the world by urging local entrepreneurs to give priority to the quality of their products by embracing good agricultural practices (GAP).
“China is the largest market in the world and we should take advantage of the existing good relationship which is presently at the highest level. For that we have to come up with the best or highest quality product possible,” he pointed out. Ahmad Shabery also wanted the recent hiccup where the price of birdnest’s fell to its lowest ever at only RM800 per kilogramme as a good lesson for them to ensure that the product is always at tip top level if they wanted to lure international buyers.
Considering the EBN produced in Sarawak and Sabah as among the best in term of quality, Shabery said the local product could easily penetrate other countries in the world, besides China and the existing traditional markets, if the potentials are to be fully explored by the locals.
Hence he considered EBN as a gift from the Almighty to the people of Sarawak and Sabah and Malaysia in general as we are among several countries in the world to be blessed with that valuable product.
Before attending the gathering at the resort, the minister met local Swiftlet Bird Nest entrepreneurs at Rumah Punai, Jalan Penipah about 20 kilometres from Mukah Town Centre. Shabery also visited a swiftlet rearing farm belonging to John Loh at a shophouse in Mukah New Township, followed by a visit to a Bird Nest Processing Mill, Blue Sky Bird Nest Sdn Bhd owned by Charles Pieng which is also at shophouses near Mukah Bus Terminal.
Also in the entourage were Tellian State Assemblyman, Yussibnosh Balo, Ministry of Agriculuture Deputy Chief Secretary (Policy/ Chief Informat ion Of f icer ) , Dato’ Mohd Sal l ehhuddi n Hassan, Deputy Chief Secretary (Development), Badrul Hisham Mohd, Di rector-General of Veterinary Services Malaysia, Dato Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam and Chairman of Agro Bank Berhad, Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal and senior officers of the related departments.
