Strengthening business connections between China and Malaysia will take centre stage as the 26th Shanghai Fair Trade Show – Malaysia returns to Kuala Lumpur on November 16 and 17, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors and industry players to explore new opportunities across trade, investment, technology and cultural exchange.
Organised by RCG International Convention & Exhibition Co. Limited, the two-day event will be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), positioning Kuala Lumpur as a meeting point for Shanghai enterprises seeking to expand their regional presence and Malaysian businesses looking to establish new partnerships with Chinese counterparts.
Covering 12,000 square metres, the exhibition is expected to feature approximately 500 exhibitors, representing more than 300 Shanghai enterprises alongside 30 industry associations and institutions. Minhang District of Shanghai will serve as the Guest of Honour, highlighting its industrial strengths and potential areas of cooperation with Malaysian companies.
Beyond showcasing products and services, the fair aims to create practical opportunities for businesses to connect, exchange expertise and explore collaborations across various industries. Exhibitions will cover manufacturing, healthcare, consumer goods, innovation technology and trade services, reflecting Shanghai’s diverse industrial landscape and its growing interest in international cooperation.
A notable feature of this year’s edition is the participation of companies recognised under China’s Specialised, Refined, Distinctive and Innovative (SRDI) enterprise designation. With more than half of the exhibitors falling under this category, the fair will offer Malaysian businesses opportunities to discover specialised manufacturers, niche-market solutions and innovative products that could support their expansion and supply chain development.
Business engagement will extend beyond the exhibition floor through investment discussions, industry seminars and structured business matching sessions. The Invest Shanghai and Minhang Seminar, together with China–Malaysia Business Exchange Sessions focusing on artificial intelligence and new energy, artificial intelligence and healthcare, as well as green chemicals and new materials, will provide a platform for participants to discuss emerging trends and potential areas of collaboration.
The organising committee is targeting more than 300 pre-arranged one-to-one business matching meetings between Malaysian trade participants and Shanghai exhibitors. More than 100 meetings have already been confirmed, reflecting early interest in direct business discussions involving sourcing, distribution and potential partnerships.
Another key development is the introduction of an International Pavilion spanning nearly 150 square metres. For the first time, Malaysian official institutions and leading local enterprises will be featured alongside Shanghai participants, creating additional opportunities for both sides to strengthen commercial relationships and explore cross-border cooperation.
The fair will also place emphasis on cultural exchange, recognising the role of shared experiences in building closer connections between communities and business partners. Activities such as the Shanghai Brands Shine in Kuala Lumpur showcase, Sail with Style fashion show, Shanghai Artistry guided tour and Two-City Coffee Dialogue will introduce visitors to different aspects of Shanghai’s lifestyle, creativity and contemporary culture.
Food will also serve as a bridge between the two cities through Shanghai Cuisine Meets Nyonya Delicacies, bringing together culinary traditions that reflect their distinct cultural identities. Charity activities will further broaden the programme beyond commercial engagement, reinforcing the event’s emphasis on community connections and public welfare.
The Shanghai Fair has expanded its international presence since 2012, touring nearly 20 countries across Asia and Europe to promote products made in Shanghai, Shanghai brands and Shanghai services. Kuala Lumpur has become an important destination for the event, hosting two editions in 2025, including a medical special session in May and a full trade show in November.
According to the organising committee, the 2026 edition is expected to be the largest to date in terms of exhibitor participation, exhibition space and programme sessions. Its expanded scale reflects the organisers’ ambition to develop the fair into a platform for sustained engagement between businesses, institutions and communities in Shanghai and Malaysia.
Fu Wengang, Vice President of the Shanghai Services Federation and Director of its Committee on Trade in Services, as well as Executive Director of the Cooperation and Exchange Committee of the Shanghai Federation of Industrial Economics, said the organisers hoped the fair would evolve beyond a conventional exhibition into a long-term platform connecting Shanghai and Malaysia through trade, culture and public welfare.
The 26th Shanghai Fair Trade Show – Malaysia will take place on November 16 and 17, 2026, at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur. Businesses interested in participating or arranging one-to-one business matching meetings may contact the organising committee at [email protected].
Registration for the pre-scheduled business matching sessions closes on November 1, 2026, or earlier if all available meeting slots are filled.
