LANGKAWI ANCHOVIES TO BE PROCESSED INTO LIGHT SNACKS

By Zulkafli Ibrahim

LANGKAWI (Kedah,Malaysia), Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The Langkawi Fishermen
Association has embarked on processing anchovies harvested in Langkawi into
snacks under the brandname of "Bilis Crispy Rangup".

Its General Manager, Abdul Majid Ibrahim, said most of the catch now were
processed and sold as dried anchovies but the association, since July,
diversified its operations to further process the anchovies into crispy snacks,
with the intention of its income.

Sixty five per cent of the anchovies produced in the country comes from
Langkawi.

"We have gone on a trial promotion at grocery stores, supermarkets and
small shops located at the Langkawi cable car tourist spot.

"If the response is overwhelming, we would spread our wings abroad," he told
Bernama in an interview Thursda.

Abdul Majid also said large-scale promotion would be undertaken soon at
institutions of higher learning and schools, nationwide, since the "Bilis Crispy
Rangup" snack was protein-rich and was suitable for students.

Between three to ten kilogrammes of the snacks are produced daily and has a
shelf-life of six to 10 months.

"We are in the midst of obtaining a halal licence for our product," said
Abdul Majid, adding that retailers and the public have shown encouraging
response for the snacks.

The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia had allocated RM246,000
(US$78,095) to help the Langkawi Fishermen Association kick start the business.

"We plan to expand our operations and tap the markets of the Middle East,
Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore in a year's time.

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off
the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state
of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border.
-- BERNAMA



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