SMEs at 21st AEM eager to expand into Asean
Published on: Monday, March 02, 2015
Kota Baru: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) showcasing their products at the 21st Asean Economic Ministers' Retreat (AEM) are eager to penetrate the regional market and hope that the Asean Economic Community (AEC) initiative is their platform to do so. Most of the companies have ramped up their business plans to include expanding their operations in Asean to benefit from the formation of the AEC by year-end. Local bird's nest-based health products and cosmetic manufacturer GHA Enterprise plans to open a manufacturing facility by year-end to increase daily production from 1,000 to 5,000 bottles.
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Managing Director Asmahan Humaidi said the company is currently looking for a suitable land to build its manufacturing facility and is eyeing sales of RM1 million this year. Last year, the company clinched sales of RM460,000 and this year it is aiming for higher sales growth, having penetrated the Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei markets. "This year we will spread our wings to Dubai and Saudi Arabia. We've been to China and Thailand and the respond is very good," Asmahan said. Asmahan said the company's Jus Annona Bird's Nest and G Ha Collocalya are popular for their health benefits and are reasonably priced from RM40 a bottle.
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Omni Mal Agencies Sdn Bhd managing director Chua Hock Tee said the company planned to increase the contribution from foreign markets to its revenue by expanding its reach in the Asean market. The company is marketing dates and dried fruits, sourced from Middle Eastern countries and South Africa, under the brands of Gurun Emas and Date-Licious.
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"We've explored the export market since two to three years ago in small quantities but it has been steadily growing. We've penetrated Singapore, Brunei, South Korea, China and Saudi Arabia," he said. Currently, its offshore market contributes 10 per cent to its revenue. The company has set its eyes to expand its business to other Asean countries, namely Indonesia, Thailand and Indo-China countries. "We are doing it now through our two to five year expansion plan and with AEC, we hope to make a breakthrough into the countries," Chua said. Gahara Galore Sdn Bhd Co-Founder and Brand Director Hanifi Triff A Thamid said the company is poised to take its artisanal batik label, Ruzz Gahara, to the foreign market, especially Europe. Gahara Galore, founded by Hanifi, 31, and his university mate, Nik Faiz, 29, in 2011, started from a design-based research company to a full-fledge business two years ago. The duo belief in actualising contemporary designs to bring the original root of Malaysian traditional ethnic culture with touches of modern fashion flair. "We've exported our products, and imported them back as a way to explore overseas market," Hanifi said, adding that the company has an agent in Paris to promote its product in the European market. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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