Shanghai, 5 November 2025 — Menara Asia Sdn. Bhd., in collaboration with CIDB Holdings Sdn. Bhd., today marked a significant milestone with the Grand Opening of the CIDBH Information Centre (Shanghai) — officiated by The Honourable Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, at CITIC Plaza, Shanghai.
The establishment of this Centre underscores Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and industrial collaboration with China, particularly within the construction and building materials sector. As the first CIDB-linked centre established outside Malaysia, it will act as an official reference and facilitation hub for the export of construction products to Malaysia, ensuring compliance with Malaysia’s Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Certificate of Standards Compliance (PPS) requirements.
Strategically located in Shanghai, one of the world’s foremost industrial and logistics hubs, the CIDBH Information Centre serves as a one-stop facility offering direct certification support for construction materials and systems intended for export to Malaysia, technical and regulatory guidance aligned with CIDB Malaysia’s quality and safety standards, and assistance in documentation, testing, and digital verification through Malaysia’s national certification platforms. This initiative enhances efficiency, transparency, and confidence among Chinese manufacturers and international suppliers, allowing them to complete product assessments and compliance documentation prior to shipment, thereby reducing delays and costs at entry points.
In his officiating address, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi described the initiative as “a strategic step that strengthens Malaysia’s construction integrity while deepening our collaboration with one of our most important partners in Asia.” He further highlighted that the Centre reflects Malaysia’s proactive efforts to expand international cooperation through innovation and standards-driven development, in line with the National Construction Policy 2030.
The collaboration between CIDB Holdings and Menara Asia forms part of Malaysia’s broader mission to digitalise certification systems and enhance global market access for construction products. The Honourable Dato’ Ir. Haji Yusuf bin Haji Abd Wahab, Chairman of CIDB Malaysia, commended the partnership, noting that “this collaboration demonstrates Malaysia’s forward-looking approach in bringing certification and compliance processes closer to key global manufacturing centres — improving efficiency, accessibility, and international confidence in our construction supply chain.”
This effort also complements CIDB Holdings’ ASSURE Digital Platform, launched in 2023, which enables real-time tracking of COA and PPS applications and provides end-to-end digital traceability for both Malaysian and international manufacturers. To date, over 350 companies — including a growing number from China — have registered on the platform.
Dato’ Saiful Nizam bin Mohd Yusoff, Chairman of Menara Asia Sdn. Bhd., expressed his pride in co-developing the initiative, stating:
“The CIDBH Information Centre (Shanghai) represents our shared commitment to quality, transparency, and sustainable progress. Together with CIDB Holdings, we are setting a new benchmark for international compliance and reinforcing Malaysia’s reputation as a trusted destination for certified construction materials.”
The initiative also aligns with Malaysia’s goal of positioning itself as a regional hub for sustainable construction and quality assurance, promoting mutual recognition of standards, and facilitating two-way trade and investment between Malaysia and China.
In his closing remarks, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi emphasised that this launch marks not an end, but the beginning of a broader collaboration between Malaysia and China.
“Shanghai is Malaysia’s bridge to wider partnerships across the region — we lead with standards, not follow with imports.”
The CIDBH Information Centre will serve as a foundation for continued growth, innovation, and shared prosperity. This milestone marks the start of wider collaboration with new regions and partners. Plans are already underway to establish the next CIDBH Information Centre in Beijing, continuing this spirit of cooperation and further strengthening Malaysia–China ties in the construction sector.
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