Fortunately, the threat of COVID-19 has been contained to an extent in Malaysia. Businesses are now being allowed to resume normal operations, albeit with strict guidelines to maintain health and safety. However, the road to economic recovery will be a long and slow one.
In an effort to speed up the economic recovery process, The Malaysian government launched the Buy Malaysian Products Campaign (KBBM) back in July 2020. Since then, over 1,800 entrepreneurs from SMEs nationwide have opted to participate and contribute to the stimulation of the local economy.
Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, secretary general of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) said that with the participation of these entrepreneurs, there are now 31,000 locally produced products in several supermarkets such as Tesco and Mydin, for consumers to choose from.
“The SME response is very encouraging and exciting…this also provides an opportunity for SMEs which want to grow their business,“ he told reporters after the Entrepreneurs’ Arena event in conjunction with the KBBM and Negeri Sembilan-level Malaysia Sales Campaign over the weekend.
“The KBBM is a large-scale government initiative that brings together various types of business brands consisting of various services, as well as offering various products to consumers at affordable prices,” said Hasnol Zam Zam.
Overall, the KBBM campaign aims to promote local products and boost the domestic economy, not just limited to supermarkets. Additionally, it also serves as one of the government’s initiatives to help local companies and entrepreneurs in marketing their products to the public.
“Organising this programme is the best and most effective approach to create better demand for locally produced goods and services. To ensure that the campaign is widely implemented, the ministry is in close cooperation with other ministries in addition to establishing a strategic partnership with Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, Lazada and Shopee,” said Hasnol Zam Zam.
The Buy Malaysian Products Campaign and Malaysia Sales Campaign are in line with the government’s intention to address the rising cost of living faced by the people; an issue that has become even more apparent since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
