Domestic Trade Ministry suggests retail sector players highlight local products

KUALA TERENGGANU: Retail industry players should highlight local products for further expansion of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), says the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Its secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof said the effort could make the government’s agenda, especially the Buy Malaysian Products Campaign, a success.

“Certainly, it will be a good sign in reactivating the people’s economy, especially of those who are involved in MSME.

“Local products are also of good quality and sold at competitive prices, besides being halal,” he said after officiating at the rebranding of Ameen Hallmart here on Monday (Sept 26).

Azman said that the retail sector’s involvement in the Keluarga Malaysia Cheap Sales (JMKM) could also help highlight the government’s efforts in this programme.

“In reducing the cost of organising the JMKM, we are using the existing facilities such as hypermarkets and supermarkets.

“Besides the reduced prices charged by the retailers, there are also the government incentives as it is concerned about the public’s grouses over the high prices of goods,” he added, reported Bernama.

Azman said the ministry believes that hypermarkets or supermarkets like Ameen Hallmart could be an exemplary platform for the Buy Malaysian Products campaign and as one of the strategic partners in the JMKM programme.

He said rebranding of retail business could also make the sector more competitive, besides offering more necessities.

“This (rebranding) is a very good effort and the government supports it…it’s one of the business strategies, there will be changes and the public will come to see these such as new products.

“At Ameen Hallmart, for example, are over 5,000 stock keeping units (SKU) comprising foodstuff, household and personal necessities, health supplements and clothing with sales amounting to over RM60mil a year.

“What is even more impressive is that over 90% of its SKU are local halal products churned out by bumiputra entrepreneurs.