Sarawak entrepreneurs urged to research, observe market before exporting

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KUCHING: Sarawak entrepreneurs looking to export their products overseas are advised to conduct proper analysis and research as well as observe the market of their choice before exporting.

My Outlets Pte Ltd (My Outlets) business development director Mohd Ridzuan Abdul Rahman outlined this to reporters during the Business Matching programme held here in conjunction with small and medium enterprise (SME) Week Malaysia 2014.

He also urged the government to help entrepreneurs in Sarawak in exporting products that have high potential to succeed overseas.

Ridzuan noted that for countries such as Singapore, entrepreneurs need to prepare their products in compliance with Singaporean and Malaysian trade requirements.

These include clear display of nutrient facts on the product’s packaging, certifications in various food and quality export requirements such as halal-certified, certificate of analysis, origin and various more.

He also noted that Singaporean products are high in demand due these quality requirements.

“Also, Singaporeans like instant products. For products to be exported to Singapore, it is recommended that these products are products that go directly to consumers, such as instant noodles, food paste, or drinks as these have high potential (to sell well in Singapore),” he pointed out.

As for the export fees, Ridzuan assured that Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) would be able to provide funds for SMEs that meet their requirements.

My Outlets was here as part of the Business Matching programme to look for potential SMEs and build partnerships with SMEs in Sarawak.

The objective of My Outlets was also to help Sarawakian SMEs to export their products to other countries particularly Singapore.

Ridzuan said, “The main issue entrepreneurs face is promoting their products in foreign countries, or bringing their products to foreign countries for export.

“These are some of the issues faced by them, and this is not just in Sarawak, or Sabah, but also in Peninsular Malaysia.”

Founded in 2013, My Outlets currently has about 50 participating, export companies from Malaysia. Ridzuan noted that My Outlets aims to bring at least 200 companies or products to Singapore this year.

The Business Matching programme was held by SME Corp to provide a platform to identify potential SME products that can be exported.

The programme was also held to expand the export market, encourage a competitive business environment, as well as to expose local SMEs to the way foreign importers negotiate.

My Outlets’ focus is to help SMEs food & beverage (F&B) manufacturers. Its objective is to build partnerships with SME semi-processed or processed F&B manufacturers to showcase and market their products at direct factory prices.