Today is 1st May, a Labor Day all over the world. Labor is an important asset for the nation, without which development of a nation cannot be achieved. It is also important for nation to continue to generate new employment as the number of population keeps growing. It is a great challenge to offer employment and this requires more economic activities to be generated.

As for Malaysia, generating employment is an important agenda of the government under its Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) with New Economic Model and National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) and Entry Point Projects (EPPs) and the main drivers. Under ETP, the investment is to be led by the private sector and every EPP identified it should be able to generate high income for the country and also high number of employment.

Malaysia continues to prosper with its 27 million population. The economy grows steadily and there are still rooms for improvement. International trade, especially exports, continue to assume an important role in the country's economic growth. Exports flourish with new and diversified markets and focus on high value exports.

The recent China's Premier Wen Jiabao visit to Malaysia signifies the importance and close relationship that both countries have had, way back from 1974 when Malaysia established diplomatic relation with China. Malaysia was the first among ASEAN countries who established diplomatic relation with China and this displayed the vision that Malaysian leaders had at that time on China, that's going to be an important partner many years to come, economically and politically.

Malaysia should continue to explore opportunities to increase and expand its current cooperation with China, especially in trade and investment. Malaysia can offer not only commodities but also many other high value added products and services. One of potential areas is in the information and communication technology (ICT) industy sector. Though China itself is quite advance in this sector, Malaysian ICT players are also competitive and creative in creating new and niche technology and solutions. Certainly they can work with other local players in China  and target less competitive markets in second and third tier cities in China.

China is flourishing and consumers' purchasing power is increasing. Consumers are looking for imported products that they regard are of high quality and different from what the local can offer. This is another factor that Malaysian exporters should consider and put up efforts to penetrate the huge consumers market.

Malaysia is a small country with 28 million population but it is one of the world's top 20 trading nation. Exports have become one of the important revenues that contribute significantly to the country's Gross Domestic Product and directly benefit people that deal with export business.

There are a wide range of products and services that Malaysia can offer, from traditional products like food and beverage, rubber, palm and timber products to high tech products and services like oil and gas, electrical and electronics, green technology, professional services and many others.

I am keen in food and beverage industry as this sector is regarded as recession-proof and people still spend for basic necessities to live. Though I am not directly involved in the production, but having connections and interactions with producers enable me to understand the process and operations of the food and beverage sector.

One of the products that is quite special to Malaysia is white coffee. There are increasing number of producers that involve in this instant drink that has become a new trend in Malaysia, not only to local folks but also to expatriates and foreigners that visit Malaysia. White coffee is a special drink that made up from several types of coffee beans and add with other oil-palm based ingredients that give special taste and aroma. The increasing number of 'kopi tiam' style cafe in Malaysia are also influenced by the popularity of white coffee.

I am assisting several producers of white coffee to promote and market their instant white coffee not only to local market but more importantly to overseas market. As this white coffee is specially linked to Malaysia, many foreigners also spread their good experiences back at their home country and this is where gradually white coffee is accepted in overseas market.

Beside white coffee, other instant drink coffee like tongkat ali coffee is also gaining popularity and well accepted abroad. Tongkat ali is well known for its vitality and many people take it to maintain good health.

Anybody interested in white coffee or tongkat ali coffee can contact me for more discussion on ways how to promote these products back at your home country.