Agro bazaars overseas to be gateway for local products

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia aims to make its agro bazaars, to be set up in Hongkong, Dubai and London next year, will serve as a gateway for its local products, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"Hongkong will be the gateway to China, Dubai for the Middle East and London for Europe," he added.
Last month, the ministry opened its first agro bazaar in Singapore, selling four types of products – fresh fruits like durians, processed food, Malaysian authentic food such as nasi lemak or roti canai, and locally produced coffee.
He said they would be adding more items, like herbal products, at the new bazaars. These bazaars would also serve as distribution centres.
The agro bazaar was opened to all Malaysian entrepreneurs who want to sell their products overseas and they would have to ensure adequate supply once there was international demand, he told reporters after opening an agriculture symposium for young entrepreneurs organised by(New Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) – a foundation to foster economic empowerment of Indian youths.
Last year, Malaysia exported RM23 billion worth of agro food and imported RM38 billion.
He also said the ministry was looking into having new regulations to prevent local raw materials like herbs, from being taken out of the country by foreigners to be made into items for which they could claim patent.
He cited the case of "Tongkat Ali" which was usually taken to China to be used as an ingredient for their products.