More Bumiputeras getting involved in retail industry – DCM

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Awang Tengah (left) speaks to a cashier when touring the store. At second left is Norhasmah.

KUCHING: More Bumiputeras are getting involved in the retail industry, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said this includes 24-hour convenience stores as well as sundry shops in villages.

“Local Bumiputeras have been contributing to the economic growth in the country. Despite high competition like bigger supermarkets, this supermarket shows that it has the capability to compete,” he said when officially opening Marq8t Grocery Store in Petra Jaya, here yesterday.

He said this gives more opportunities for the small and medium industry to grow and market their products.

The Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development also called on Bumiputeras to improve their capabilities and seek new marketing methods in order to be more competitive.

Marq8t director Norhasmah Naroden said the company will open two more convenience stores next month at Majma Mall, Satok, and in Lundu.

“We are not directly competing with big supermarkets because we’re more towards convenience as we are open 24 hours. It is to make it convenient for those in the surrounding areas to get groceries. Our stock is from local suppliers and we also have products from the local small and medium industries,” she said, adding the company currently has 42 staff.

Among those present at the opening were Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais and Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.