CHIBA (Japan), Oct 19 — Malaysian products, especially agriculture, have great potential to penetrate international markets through the ‘Best of Malaysia’ and Agrobazaar programmes, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
He said as Malaysian durian and pineapples were gaining popularity in China and Japan, fruit growers, including farmers, should take advantage of the tremendous potential to cater to the demand.
Speaking to reporters after launching the fourth ‘Best of Malaysia’ programme in Japan at AEON Makuhari here today, he said his ministry had held discussions with the Giant Hypermarket to promote Malaysian goods in Hong Kong and Vietnam’s supermarkets through the ‘Best in Malaysia’ programme.
“We plan to hold the Best of Malaysia event in Vietnam in December and Hong Kong in April next year as well as Agrobazaar in London, Dubai and Hong Kong next year, also next year,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said Aeon Japan had also given its undertaking to promote Malaysian products in over 1,800 supermarkets in Japan.
He said the ministry would also discuss the potential of marketing Malaysian goods in Japan with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
“Malaysian curry powder, rendang, bird’s nest products and frozen food have yet to gain entry into Japan because the national authorities had to make a thorough examination on them to avoid food contamination,” he said.
A total of 158 Malaysian products, including 89 food-based products, are currently marketed in seven Aeon supermarkets in Tokyo, Osaka and Chiba during the four-day Best of Malaysia programme from Friday.
Present was Aeon Retail Co Ltd President Kazunori Umemoto. — Bernama
