The Malaysian government’s efforts to intensify the Buy Malaysian Products Campaign this year is timely, considering the current economic situation which has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad said that the move was a necessary one to stimulate and boost domestic economic growth. The ultimate goal is to raise the awareness of consumers regarding the existence of local products and encouraging their purchase over foreign imports.
With the campaign putting focus on local products and businesses, it also paves the way towards helping local entrepreneurs, especially SMEs in developing their businesses.
“Based on the latest data released by the Statistics Department, the contribution of SMEs to the overall GDP has increased to 38.9 percent in 2019 compared to 38.3 percent recorded in 2018,” said Datuk Seri Hasnol.
He said this at the launch of the Selangor KPDNHEP 2020 Consumer and Traders Roadshow Programme.
According to him, local products play a huge role in the nations economy, and will continue to contribute towards the increasing GDP percentage besides proving the role of SMEs that provide jobs and support economic growth.
Hasnol Zam Zam said various strategies were introduced in an effort to bring local SME products to the retail sector, including collaborating with the country’s major retail companies as well as cooperation from supermarkets, convenience stores and a network of petroleum company stores.
The roadshow programme is meant to be a platform to obtain basic information on the consumption pattern of consumers and businesses in rural areas in Selangor.
The four-day programme until 16 September also promotes two main campaigns, namely the Buy Malaysian Products and the Mega Sales Programme (PJM) campaigns which is an initiative to boost the retail sector as well as restore domestic market demand.
