Tourism Malaysia Expands Cooperation With Hong Kong To Promote Shopping Tourism

 

The Malaysian delegation at Hong Kong media briefing.

HONG KONG, 25 November 2013 – A Malaysian delegation comprising representatives from the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia), PEMANDU, shopping and retail associations were here recently to facilitate learning and sharing experiences with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hong Kong’s retail and wholesale fraternity.

The meeting of minds between the Malaysian delegation and their hosts in Hong Kong is set to expand co-operation especially between the retail industries of both countries through networking. It  also serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences as well as gaining  insights on international trends  having significant impact on the tourism industry in this region.

Tourism Malaysia deliberated with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council through briefing sessions and organised site visits for the Malaysian delegation. In acquiring first-hand information on the Hong Kong shopping scene and the shopping malls management, the Malaysian delegation’s visit included site inspection of some of Hong Kong’s renowned shopping malls and branded stores, including the Landmark Gloucester Tower, Lane Crawford’s Flagship Store at IFC Mall and Hong Kong’s largest mall, Harbour City, which houses Ocean Terminal, Ocean Centre and Gateway Arcade.

Shopping Malaysia Secretariat also hosted a networking reception and dinner for agencies of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong trade and retail representatives as well as local and international media.

In 2012, Malaysia was Hong Kong’s 10th largest trading partner, ahead of the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Vietnam; and was also one of five ASEAN countries that were among the top 20 trading partners of Hong Kong. The other ASEAN countries were Singapore (in the 5th position), Thailand (9th), Vietnam (13th) and the Philippines (18th).

Malaysia’s retail industry grew by 5.5 per cent last year with RM87.8 (US$27.4) billion in sales turnover. Business Monitor International in its Malaysia Retail Report Q4 2012 forecasted that total retail sales in Malaysia will grow from US$55.82 billion in 2012 to US$69 billion in 2016, a rise of almost 24 per cent. The report cited that a low unemployment rate, rising disposable incomes and a strong tourism industry were helping  drive growth in Malaysia's retail sector.
-Tourism Malaysia.