Malaysia's FAMA To Help Entrepreneurs Market Herbal-Based Products Globally

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) aims to help at least 20 per cent of the 5,500 agro-based entrepreneurs, involved in the production of herbal-based products and local ‘ulam’ (mixed herbs), to market their products internationally within the next two years. Its director-general, Ahmad Ishak said currently there are 1,100 herbal entrepreneurs under the category of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) Phase 1 and 2, out of the six categories of SMEs. Agro-based entrepreneurs from the SME category Phase 1 and 2 will be guided so as to achieve at least SME Phase 4 to enable their products to be exported. "This effort is in line with the ongoing commitment to help commercialise these herbal or ‘ulam’ products globally and not for the domestic market alone," he told reporters at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid) and Friendly Celebration with FAMA Entrepreneurs 2017 at FAMA headquarters, Bandar Baru Selayang here Tuesday. Phase 1 and 2 SMEs are groups of agro-based entrepreneurs who achieve an annual sales turnover of approximately RM100,000 for the local market while SME Phase 4 covers an annual sales value of RM5 million for national and international markets. FAMA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Based Industry and its responsibility is to improve the marketing of agro food products such as vegetables, fruits and agro-based industry products. -- BERNAMA