ID :
195978
Wed, 07/20/2011 - 07:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/195978
The shortlink copeid
A PASSION FOR DATES LEADS TO SUCCESSFUL VENTURE
By Noor Adila Ali
KOTA BAHARU (Kelantan, Malaysia), July 20(Bernama) -- Chua Hock Tee, 52, works hard to earn a living through his business venture. Born and bred here, the capital town of Kelantan, he is among the handful of non-Muslims who sell dates from the palm tree.
His company Omni Mal Agencies Sdn Bhd, is the biggest date packaging company and distributor in Peninsular Malaysia's east coast state of Kelantan.
At the onset of the conversation with the writer, Chua, who is also the managing director of the company, shared that it was his passion for this 'magic fruit' that encouraged his whole family to venture into the trade.
OBSESSION WITH DATES
"Dates are very special, strange and in fact unique. The more I learn, more I get to know of them, more curious I become and more I want to learn about this fruit," he told Bernama.
"I developed a liking for dates while I was studying in the United States. At that time I was close to fellow students from Iran, Palestine and Algeria, and each time they returned from their country they brought dates with them.
"After tasting the dates, I used to ask myself why these dates are so delicious and taste far different from the ones I had tasted back in Malaysia. I then started asking them and one of them who came from a family that owned a date farm, explained about the fruit and this kindled my curiosity to learn more about this fruit," he added.
GAINING KNOWLEDGE ON DATES
Chua said even his friends were surprised when he decided to return home and venture into the date trade though he had a MBA degree.
"Each year I used to go to the Arab countries to learn about the dates, I used to visit the date farms and date entrepreneurs to learn more about this fruit; not only to seek high quality fruits to be marketed but also to satisfy my queries on why these dates are so special," he noted.
"Around 1998, when I started venturing seriously into the date business, I left for Iran to learn more about this fruit. I hardly knew anyone in the country but I was lucky because there was a farmer who was ready to share the secrets of the dates, including the much sought after varieties and those which the customers should avoid," he said.
THE PROPHET'S DATE: MOST IMPRESSIVE
Though synonymous with Muslims, Chua through his informal lessons on the fruit, learnt that 1,400 varieties of dates were found all over the world and the most sought after was 'Ajwa'. This date is described as the best one and was the favourite of Prophet Muhammad. This variety has medicinal elements that can strengthen the stomach muscles, soothe the nerves and even stablise the temperament.
"Ajwa is a soft and dry date planted in the holy city of Medina. History narrates that the first Ajwa date tree was planted by the Prophet near the Quba mosque in Medina,” he informed.
Chua further said the dates could serve as light snacks after meals, replacing tit-bits rich in carbohydrates, salt, fat and excess sugar that contribute to poor health.
More than anything, dates provide instant energy to the body.
BENEFITS OF DATES
Chua, whose factory and office are located at Kawasan Perindustrian 2 Pengkalan Chepa, near here, noted that the Prophet had high regard for dates due to its nutritious value, including the calories and carbohydrates being easily digestible.
Therefore, he was surprised that at one time dates in Malaysia and elsewhere were sold in the open, often in sacks, on the roadside, hardly reflecting the high esteem held by many on the fruit.
If not, they were sold in plain boxes and hardly in attractive packages like those seen today.
"Then I thought why not become the first person to sell dates in attractive package that can even serve as gifts to friends and relatives throughout the year, not just during the holy month of Ramadan," he said.
INNOVATIVE PACKAGING
After observing how the dates were packaged in different countries, Chua then thought of to discovering an innovative way of packaging it.
"Other than ensuring that the dates sold by the company are best in quality and hygiene, and with a new theme each year, the dates come in attractive packages. This year for example, we have packaged the dates under the 'The Dome' theme where they are packed in cans in the shape of the mosque's dome with impressive patterns. And the packaging is the first of its kind here," he informed.
Chua noted that the dome-shaped air tight metal cans have been imported from Hong Kong and could accommodate between 250 and 400 grammes of dates.
The Dome is filled with Ajwa that has been mixed with the oil from the Habbatus Sauda, a type of flower. "Other than the Prophet’s date, the Dome is filled with Mariami (Piarum) date, also mixed with Habbatus Sauda oil," he said.
IMPORTING DATES FROM IRAN
Chua noted that his company not only focuses on innovative packaging, but also on the quality and hygiene of its products.
He imports the dates from Iran, selecting the best ones processed using machine to ensure hygiene.
"Before selecting the best dates to be imported, I visit several Arab countries and in Iran there is a factory that offers good quality dates that are processed hygienically. That is where I choose my dates from to ensure that Malaysians enjoy the best dates like those I used to enjoy during my university days," he said.
TRADERS COMPROMISE ON QUALITY
Chua explained that from what he learned from the Arab land, many date importers from Malaysia sought huge quantities of dates at low price. Thus the date farmers there pick those dates that are yet to mature and soak them in hot sugar syrup to make them sweet and heavy.
"Though this benefits the date dealers in Malaysia because the dates are heavier and sweet, their nutritious value is lost," he said.
SELLING DATES A PASSION
Chua has been in the date business for over 15 years not just for profit or because selling dates is a trend nowadays. The proof of this is that despite being in the trade for quite sometime, Chua is hardly known, though his products are displayed at leading sales outlets, including KLCC, Jaya Jusco, Mydin, Tesco, Isetan, Cold Storage, Pacific and Giant.
"It does not matter if I'm not well known... I'm okay running the business like this, but what is important to me is that the dates produced by my company are well known due to their quality and hygiene," noted Chua.
Chua not only deals with dates but also other high quality edibles from the Arab countries. Some of the well known brands produced by his company are Gurun Emas, Date-Licious and Suri 2020. The first two brands are targeted at individuals and companies, and also sold to pay the zakat.
KOTA BAHARU (Kelantan, Malaysia), July 20(Bernama) -- Chua Hock Tee, 52, works hard to earn a living through his business venture. Born and bred here, the capital town of Kelantan, he is among the handful of non-Muslims who sell dates from the palm tree.
His company Omni Mal Agencies Sdn Bhd, is the biggest date packaging company and distributor in Peninsular Malaysia's east coast state of Kelantan.
At the onset of the conversation with the writer, Chua, who is also the managing director of the company, shared that it was his passion for this 'magic fruit' that encouraged his whole family to venture into the trade.
OBSESSION WITH DATES
"Dates are very special, strange and in fact unique. The more I learn, more I get to know of them, more curious I become and more I want to learn about this fruit," he told Bernama.
"I developed a liking for dates while I was studying in the United States. At that time I was close to fellow students from Iran, Palestine and Algeria, and each time they returned from their country they brought dates with them.
"After tasting the dates, I used to ask myself why these dates are so delicious and taste far different from the ones I had tasted back in Malaysia. I then started asking them and one of them who came from a family that owned a date farm, explained about the fruit and this kindled my curiosity to learn more about this fruit," he added.
GAINING KNOWLEDGE ON DATES
Chua said even his friends were surprised when he decided to return home and venture into the date trade though he had a MBA degree.
"Each year I used to go to the Arab countries to learn about the dates, I used to visit the date farms and date entrepreneurs to learn more about this fruit; not only to seek high quality fruits to be marketed but also to satisfy my queries on why these dates are so special," he noted.
"Around 1998, when I started venturing seriously into the date business, I left for Iran to learn more about this fruit. I hardly knew anyone in the country but I was lucky because there was a farmer who was ready to share the secrets of the dates, including the much sought after varieties and those which the customers should avoid," he said.
THE PROPHET'S DATE: MOST IMPRESSIVE
Though synonymous with Muslims, Chua through his informal lessons on the fruit, learnt that 1,400 varieties of dates were found all over the world and the most sought after was 'Ajwa'. This date is described as the best one and was the favourite of Prophet Muhammad. This variety has medicinal elements that can strengthen the stomach muscles, soothe the nerves and even stablise the temperament.
"Ajwa is a soft and dry date planted in the holy city of Medina. History narrates that the first Ajwa date tree was planted by the Prophet near the Quba mosque in Medina,” he informed.
Chua further said the dates could serve as light snacks after meals, replacing tit-bits rich in carbohydrates, salt, fat and excess sugar that contribute to poor health.
More than anything, dates provide instant energy to the body.
BENEFITS OF DATES
Chua, whose factory and office are located at Kawasan Perindustrian 2 Pengkalan Chepa, near here, noted that the Prophet had high regard for dates due to its nutritious value, including the calories and carbohydrates being easily digestible.
Therefore, he was surprised that at one time dates in Malaysia and elsewhere were sold in the open, often in sacks, on the roadside, hardly reflecting the high esteem held by many on the fruit.
If not, they were sold in plain boxes and hardly in attractive packages like those seen today.
"Then I thought why not become the first person to sell dates in attractive package that can even serve as gifts to friends and relatives throughout the year, not just during the holy month of Ramadan," he said.
INNOVATIVE PACKAGING
After observing how the dates were packaged in different countries, Chua then thought of to discovering an innovative way of packaging it.
"Other than ensuring that the dates sold by the company are best in quality and hygiene, and with a new theme each year, the dates come in attractive packages. This year for example, we have packaged the dates under the 'The Dome' theme where they are packed in cans in the shape of the mosque's dome with impressive patterns. And the packaging is the first of its kind here," he informed.
Chua noted that the dome-shaped air tight metal cans have been imported from Hong Kong and could accommodate between 250 and 400 grammes of dates.
The Dome is filled with Ajwa that has been mixed with the oil from the Habbatus Sauda, a type of flower. "Other than the Prophet’s date, the Dome is filled with Mariami (Piarum) date, also mixed with Habbatus Sauda oil," he said.
IMPORTING DATES FROM IRAN
Chua noted that his company not only focuses on innovative packaging, but also on the quality and hygiene of its products.
He imports the dates from Iran, selecting the best ones processed using machine to ensure hygiene.
"Before selecting the best dates to be imported, I visit several Arab countries and in Iran there is a factory that offers good quality dates that are processed hygienically. That is where I choose my dates from to ensure that Malaysians enjoy the best dates like those I used to enjoy during my university days," he said.
TRADERS COMPROMISE ON QUALITY
Chua explained that from what he learned from the Arab land, many date importers from Malaysia sought huge quantities of dates at low price. Thus the date farmers there pick those dates that are yet to mature and soak them in hot sugar syrup to make them sweet and heavy.
"Though this benefits the date dealers in Malaysia because the dates are heavier and sweet, their nutritious value is lost," he said.
SELLING DATES A PASSION
Chua has been in the date business for over 15 years not just for profit or because selling dates is a trend nowadays. The proof of this is that despite being in the trade for quite sometime, Chua is hardly known, though his products are displayed at leading sales outlets, including KLCC, Jaya Jusco, Mydin, Tesco, Isetan, Cold Storage, Pacific and Giant.
"It does not matter if I'm not well known... I'm okay running the business like this, but what is important to me is that the dates produced by my company are well known due to their quality and hygiene," noted Chua.
Chua not only deals with dates but also other high quality edibles from the Arab countries. Some of the well known brands produced by his company are Gurun Emas, Date-Licious and Suri 2020. The first two brands are targeted at individuals and companies, and also sold to pay the zakat.
