BUYING made-in-Sabah goods is a fast way to restore the economy, save jobs and ramp up support for local producers, said State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam.
He said the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic felt throughout the globe also severely tested the resilience of Sabah’s economy, leaving many businesses counting the costs — the result of social and economic disruption caused by the crisis.
“Many companies struggled during the Movement Control Order (MCO) following a 65.5 per cent drop in customers, while it would take as long as six months for 45 per cent of companies to recover based on a study issued by the Statistics Department,” said Joachim, who is also Deputy Chief Minister III.
He pointed out that the global economic downturn caused by the pandemic has hit the medium enterprises and multinational companies which experienced plummeting revenue due to loss or lack of customers. Furthermore, he said, the crisis wreaked havoc on supply chains worldwide, affecting numerous industrial sectors and services reliant on raw goods, componentry and imports.
To steer Sabah back to economic recovery, Joachim said the Ministry has kick-started its “Buy Sabah First” campaign to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) drive up sales and productivity.
“The campaign, which is one of the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiatives, is poised to roll out 17 main programmes projected to generate sales of over RM25 million this year, and will be continued to help SME enterprises, factory players and homegrown Sabah products.
“With public support to increase sales, this will stimulate the domestic economy and bolster Sabah’s gross domestic product (GDP),” he said.
According to Joachim, the initiative launched earlier this year by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor was timely to push post-lockdown patriotism for local products which are comparable in quality to products from other states in the country. To spearhead the promotion push, 2021 Kaamatan Unduk Ngadau (Beauty Pageant) winner Maya Hejnowska was appointed as ambassador for Sabah SME products for one year, agreed between the Ministry and the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA).
“The logo chosen for the campaign will be known as ‘Authentic Sabah’, designed by the Sabah Arts Centre. It will be displayed on all local products, printed in hologram format and disseminated to all entrepreneurs registered with the Ministry, as well as traders who have penetrated export markets.Based on the campaign slogan “Belilah Barang Buatan Sabah: Mantap bah ini Gaman”, the campaign will feature local singer, Rich Gimbang, from famed rock group, Estranged, who will perform the theme song “Mantap Bah ini Gaman” written by renowned local composer Asmin Mudin.
The 17 programmes lined up for the campaign involves opening four Sabah SME centres at districts such as Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Kota Marudu, Keningau and Tawau.
“Similar centres were opened since last year in the State Capital, situated at Ground Floor, Block C, Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, while in Beaufort district it’s at Mingo City, and Kiaburi Plaza in Ranau district. Another centre will be launched in Papar district soon,” he said. He urged local SME entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity to expand their products to bigger markets in the peninsula in a programme with Segi Fresh Supermarket and GM Klang Wholesale City.
“A number of selected SME products will get this wonderful opportunity to broaden their products beyond Sabah. This programme will also help uplift Sabah’s export value and bolster the transportation sector,” said Joachim.
In extending efforts for the promotion of Sabah SME products to local markets, the Ministry entered into cooperation with Kojasa to open its own outlet at Suria Inanam and Anjung Selera, while plans are underway for Sabah Credit Cooperation to open its own supermarket (SCC Outlet) at UTC Kota Kinabalu building.
“Looking forward, this initiative is set to help promote local SME products at stores, as the Ministry strives to find avenues to help Sabah products penetrate local markets,” said Joachim.
Expanding further, he said, the Ministry will also host a sales expo at major supermarket chains in main districts throughout the State beginning next month, from April 3 until May 2, 2022.
“With this, we will also be working together with Malaysian Airport Berhad to organise a Ramadan Expo at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA),”said Joachim.
Source: https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/189203/sme-centres-to-complement-buy-sabah-goods-drive/