KOTA KINABALU: The first consignment of "made in Sabah" products manufactured by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) departed for the United Kingdom Monday (March 7).
The products included handicraft and ready-to-eat food and were sent via the Global Entrepreneur One Stop Centre (Glopec) initiative, which is aimed at giving local products a significant distribution boost.
The shipment was part of the commitment of Glopec, a platform established last year through a partnership between the Yayasan Sabah Group and the Bumiputra Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju).
It aimed to enhance the global footprint of Sabah SMEs from the B40 and M40 segments in line with the 2020 Bumiputra Entrepreneur Development in Sabah Grant under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
The first consignment was seen off by Yayasan Sabah senior group manager Zulkhairi Ismail with officials from Teraju Sabah and Glopec at the latter's premises at Neutron Riverside, Inanam near here.
Yayasan Sabah director and Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar said in a statement that since its inception, Glopec had actively engaged with international strategic partners, business-related agencies and governing bodies, as well as suppliers and buyers, to explore new business alliances in the global market.
"Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed global trade for the last two years, Glopec has constantly been assessing and analysing international business developments while also devising various strategies to increase business opportunities for Sabah
Gulamhaidar said Glopec would also participate in various international trade fairs and promotions, exhibitions as well as business forums to promote Sabah products.
The SME products included ready-to-eat food, beverages, handicraft and beauty products while batik and forest-based craft, he added, showed that local designs were now ready for the global marketplace.
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/03/07/first-consignment-of-039made-in-sabah039-sme-products-bound-for-uk