KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong has refuted rumours that only one company will be given rights to export bird's nest to China.
“There is no such monopoly. Companies that fulfil the necessary conditions will be allowed to export to China,” he said yesterday after presenting a RM20,000 cheque to single mother of three boys Stephanie Lim at her home here.
Lim, who sells a variety of homemade sauces for a living, was a successful applicant for the 1MCA Micro Credit Loan Scheme for Youth.
Also present was MCA central committee member and Kojadi honorary secretary Loh Seng Kok.
Both Malaysia and China have agreed that several conditions must be met before the ban of the luxury item to China can be lifted.
These included requiring bird's nest exporters to have a Veterinary Health Mark (VHM) and a health certificate from the Veterinary Services Department and Health Ministry, respectively, as well as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“Currently, eight processing centres have obtained the VHM which ensures quality and cleanliness,” said Chua who encouraged swiftlet breeders to register with the Veterinary Services Department.
Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said on Sunday that Malaysia would soon sign the draft protocol on bird's nest entry into China.
On the 1MCA Micro Credit Loan Scheme, Chua, who is also MCA's Young Professionals Bureau chairman, said some RM1.4mil worth of loans had been allocated to 83 people.
“We hope to create more entrepreneurs and assist those who are already in business to improve their income and production.
“We hope the money can help Lim buy materials in bulk as well as more equipment to improve her business,” he said, adding that her application was approved within two weeks.