KOTA KINABALU: Food producers should focus on the quality of food products that are beneficial to the health of consumers, said Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Bobbey A. Suan.
Local producers, including those in the food and beverage industry, should also take part in exhibitions as it is a good method to promote their products, he said.
Bobbey said the Government views the importance of food quality and safety seriously.
Nevertheless, the local food industry had expanded and improved on their product quality as well as offered food that suit the tastes of consumers, he said after representing Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Agriculture Developemnt and Food Industry Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Yahya Hussin in officiating at the Sabah Food and Hospitality Tourism Exhibition (SFHTE) 2012 here yesterday.
SFHTE, which showcases 79 booths, is held from October 19-21 at the Sabah Trade Centre.
Bobbey hoped that more locals would take part in future SFHTE, including homestay providers.
In his speech delivered by Bobbey, Yahya said SFHTE 2012 provided a platform for major players in the food industry, suppliers to restaurants and hotels as well as the major players in the travel and tours industry to come together to exhibit their products and services.
“SFHTE also serves to create networking among all these three main industries and strengthen understanding of each others’ businesses, creating economic activities and providing business opportunities as well as raising the state’s profile.”
He pointed out that the state’s economic activities had shown significant growth due to the initiatives of the National Economic Transformation Programme with other programmes and blueprints such as the Halatuju, Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) and the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).
“These initiatives help boost the nation’s income and generates economic activities and spinoffs that allow participation by the public and private sectors as well as non-governmental organizations.”
Yahya also commended the organizer, IEC-Midas who shared the state’s common vision to turn Sabah into a livable and sustainable developed state.
Also present at the event were IEC-Midas partners Datuk Adeline Leong and Dolly Jimayol.