Marcel Simok
GM Klang Wholesale City (GM Klang) has partnered with the Sabah Industrial Development and Research Department to launch the Authentic Sabah Mart, a hub that showcases more than 300 products from small and medium industry (SMI) entrepreneurs from the state.
The first physical hub in Peninsular Malaysia selling Sabah SMI products aims to provide visitors with the products at the same price as they are sold in Sabah.
According to GM Klang Managing Director Datuk Lim Seng Kok, this initiative is the first step towards becoming a one-stop centre for local products and regional brands under one roof. He expressed optimism that the success of the Authentic Sabah Mart would lead to the opening of similar stores in 2023 to promote local products to outside visitors.
“We can see positive development because since operating last December, suppliers of Sabah products continued to increase their product stocks due to popular demand,” he said.
Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe, who was present at the launch, stated that not many SMI products from Sabah are sold in Peninsular Malaysia due to expensive shipping costs. However, the opening of the Authentic Sabah Mart allows visitors, particularly locals and tourists, to purchase food products from Sabah, thereby stimulating the industry in the state and Malaysia in general.
“We chose Selangor, especially GM Klang, which is the largest wholesale centre in Malaysia, to market Sabah SMI products because of its location close to the port and Kuala Lumpur. This is just a start, and we need more programmes to help more Sabah entrepreneurs improve the quality of their products in terms of product design and packaging so that they will be more competitive,” he said.
Lim emphasised that GM Klang always welcomes cooperation from agencies and states to boost local SMIs by selling their products at the wholesale mall. He further stated that since the opening of the Authentic Sabah Mart, suppliers of Sabah products had increased their product stocks due to popular demand.
The launch of the Authentic Sabah Mart reflects GM Klang’s commitment to promoting local products and regional brands. The initiative is expected to help small businesses in Sabah by providing them with a platform to showcase their products to a wider audience, while also promoting Sabah’s unique food culture.
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