News From : DagangHalal.com (05 Dec 2011)
GREAT POETENTIAL: Malaysian food and products that are promoted via one of Turkey’s biggest hypermarkets Carrefour Icerenkoy receive overwhelming response from the shoppers.
ISTANBUL: Malaysian food products have great potential in Turkey if the overwhelming response to the ‘Taste of Malaysia’ programme held here recently is used as a benchmark to gauge market access.
The programme, an initiative by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to promote Malaysian food and products via one of Turkey’s biggest hypermarkets Carrefour Icerenkoy, saw Malaysian food and products being demonstrated to shoppers.
The ministry first launched ‘Taste of Malaysia’ programme in Hong Kong in 2005 to promote consumer products through hypermarkets and supermarkets abroad.
“The programme is making headway in Turkey,” said Mohamad Noor Azhab Mohd Shazilli, Istanbul-based Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) trade commissioner.
A wide range of products including coffee beans, fruit juices, spices, chocolates and biscuits were showcased at the event.
Companies under the Bumiputera Manufacturers and Services Industry Association of Malaysia such as Perusahaan Azan Sdn Bhd, Diamond Consolidators (M) Sdn Bhd and Amalina Holdings Sdn Bhd participated in the event.
Present at the launch was Carrefour Turkey chief executive officer Guillaume De Colognes.
The food demonstration initiative reflected Malaysian companies’ seriousness to make a presence in the Turkish market, thanks to the ministry for its efforts to expand the market base of small and medium enterprises’ products abroad.
Deputy Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim officiated at the food demonstration.Visitors were treated to Malaysian delicacies prepared by a Malaysian chef, Zamzani Abdul Wahab.
Among Malaysian products which had potential in the Turkish market were ready-to-eat noodles, frozen food, food paste and products and ingredients related to baked products market segment.
The promoters also capitalised on the halal certificates issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), he told Bernama.
He said Malaysia had taken the opportunity to promote products produced by Malaysian SMEs in line with growing market acceptance.
With a 73-million population comprising a high percentage of younger generation, Turkey offered great potential to Malaysia’s varieties and brands, Mohamad Noor Azhab said.
Last year, Malaysia’s processed food exported to Turkey accounted for among the top 10 manufactured goods exported worth RM43 million.
Malaysia`s total exports to Turkey amounted to RM2.1 million last year. – Bernama