MADANI Mart Opens Doors To SMI Products – Fuziah

KUANTAN, May 22 (Bernama) -- Small and medium industry (SMI) entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to place their products at MADANI Mart as part of efforts to expand market reach, increase sales and introduce local products to more consumers.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said the ministry is allowing outlets flexibility to accept products from SMI entrepreneurs to support local traders.

“We encourage outlet owners to help SMI entrepreneurs by allocating about 10 per cent of their products at the store. So, entrepreneurs in Kuantan, for example, who have chips, rempeyek or other products can negotiate directly with outlet owners to facilitate marketing arrangements,” said Fuziah, who is also MADANI Foundation chairman.

She told reporters this after officially opening the MADANI Mart Jalan Dato’ Wong Ah Jang branch in the Teruntum state constituency here today. 

The branch is the second MADANI Mart following the opening of the first outlet in Indera Mahkota 8 here, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on April 3.

Fuziah said the ministry has also received more than 200 applications from various parties to operate MADANI Mart outlets.

She said that, so far, 20 operators have passed the initial screening stage and are undergoing phased development, subject to location suitability and compliance with MADANI Mart standards.

“Two more outlets are expected to open next month, in the Inderapura state constituency here and Kuala Lumpur. We hope MADANI Mart can be expanded as quickly as possible to make it easier for the people to access essential goods near their homes,” she said. 

MADANI Mart aims to open at least 640 branches nationwide, with the goal of ensuring every state constituency has at least one outlet.

-- BERNAMA