LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS UNDER BUSINESS EXPORTS PROGRAM (BEP) ARE EXPECTED TO GAIN RM10 MILLION AT GULFOOD 2023

MONDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2023, DUBAI – The Ministry of Entrepreneur and
Cooperative Developments (MECD) is all set to spearhead the participation of
Malaysian entrepreneurs in Gulfood 2023 Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
from 20 to 24 February 2023. Gulfood is one of the world’s largest annual food
and beverage (F&B) trade fairs in the world.
A total of 11 Malaysian companies under the umbrella of MECD will take centre
stage at the exhibition promoting a wide range of Malaysian F&B products with
the aim to promote brand recognition, initiate business networking, and
connect potential trade partners. These 11 exhibitors are local entrepreneurs
who are currently on Business Exports Program (BEP), a structured
intervention programme spearheaded by SME Bank, an agency under The
Ministry in collaboration with Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (MATRADE).
Dato’ Sri Suriani binti Dato’ Ahmad, the Secretary General of MECD who led
the Delegation for this Mission says this mission is expected to generate a
potential sale of RM10 million. During this Mission, Akifcafe Coffee Industries
Sdn Bhd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Grand
Hypermarket Dubai to supply pre-mix coffees.

In 2022, Malaysia’s export of processed food recorded double-digit growth of
15.1% to reach 28.40 billion from 24.60 billion last year. Export to the GCC
region, also increase significantly by 23.1% to RM1.71 billion as compared to
2021 which recorded RM1.39 billion. As of December 2022, nine of the
participants successfully secured financing amounting to RM91.65 million from
SME Bank. By 2024, all 47 BEP participants are expected to generate export
sales of RM47.5 million through the exploration of new market opportunities.