Alexander (centre) after launching the Kempen Beli Barangan Malaysia and Program Jualan Malaysia at Imago Shopping Mall.
KOTA KINABALU: The public are encouraged to shop locally made products to stimulate local economy in the recovery phase following the Covid-19 pandemic, with the launch of Kempen Beli Barangan Malaysia (KBBM) and Program Jualan Malaysia (PJM).
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the initiatives were timely as many businesses suffered due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“Now, we want to rebuild the economy and one of the ways is through this campaign. If it can be sustained, this initiative can surely save local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as many jobs,” he said at the Sabah launch of Kempen Beli Barangan Malaysia and Program Jualan Malaysia yesterday.
He went on to say that Sabah held much potential and many success stories, especially in promoting niche products such as handicrafts unique to the state.
He added that the programs were not only to stimulate local economy, but explore potential to penetrate the international market as well.
“This campaign is a platform to promote handicrafts which reflect the identities and uniqueness of ethnicities in Sabah. It also provides opportunities for these products to penetrate a wider market, whether it is on a national or international levels.
“In the last few years, penetration of local SME products, especially in supermarkets and hypermarkets nationwide, have shown encouraging results. In 2019, a total of 31,009 stock-keeping units (SKU) worth RM667,368,501 were recorded from SME products. This was an increase of 74.49 per cent from 17,771 SKU or RM163,721,602 in 2015,” said Alexander.
Kempen Beli Barangan Malaysia (KBBM) is an initiative to help local SMEs and entrepreneurs in marketing their products to the masses.
Meanwhile, Program Jualan Malaysia (PJM) is a nationwide sales campaign organised throughout the year, beginning December 2020.
The program focuses on themed sales and different segments of products each month, at discounted prices. Segments include ICT and gadgets, shopping street or shopping district, fashion and cosmetics, lifestyle, furniture and home appliances, e-commerce, franchise and more.