KOTA BHARU - Kelantan-made products, such as coffee and batik textile clothing, have the potential to penetrate the international market and should be highlighted through this year's Buy Malaysian Products Campaign (KBBM).
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Kelantan branch director Azman Ismail said it was due to the fact that the products made by Kelantanese entrepreneurs bear a quality and standard comparable with the global market.
"Thus far, 15 local companies have established cooperation with the Kelantan KPDN to participate in this year's KBBM.
"In fact, on Aug 26, three companies represented Kelantan at the East Zone Malaysian Goods Mini Carnival, which took place in Kuantan, Pahang," he told Bernama recently.
Azman also hopes that the government's efforts, through the KBBM, can serve as a catalyst for all small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs to successfully penetrate the overseas market, as well as boost domestic trade.
Previously, media reported that KPDN Trade, Distribution and Business Sector senior director Datuk Rohaizi Bahari said the ministry has established strategic cooperation with 16 leading local retail companies nationwide, as well as three online platforms, to drive local products.
He said that a total of RM10 million was allocated for KBBM, of which RM3 million was distributed to the 16 companies involved by placing a special segment of Malaysian-made goods on their premises.
"Thus far, we have also received between 20 and 30 applications from other companies interested in participating in this campaign, and more than 245,000 types of products were recorded in this campaign," he said.
Meanwhile, in another development, Azman said a total of 49,445 litres of subsidised diesel were seized from Jan 1 to Aug 31 this year, through operations conducted under 'Op Tiris', with seizures worth RM106,222.
He said although these syndicates always change modus operandi to avoid detection, strict KPDN controls to curb illegal sales have resulted in 85 arrests thus far, with most suspects detained at the country's borders.
"Those detained will be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and the state KPDN is always enhancing enforcement to monitor these controlled items so that consumers can fully benefit from the government subsidy," he said.- Bernama