KUCHING, Nov 24: Kuching-based Kit Hin Company Sdn Bhd (Kit Hin) has secured a lucrative three-year deal to export Sarawak’s sought-after authentic gula apong (nipah palm sugar) to Singapore.
The Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) in a statement today said its general manager, Audrey Lai has been working in conjunction with the Statos Trade team since the beginning of 2021 and was pleased to secure a trade partnership with SIS ’88, a major Singaporean-based sugar importer and distributor.
Statos’ Trade and Investment Manager Kenny Lau said that there have been many trade enquiries since Statos started promoting gula apong including from hotels, bakeries and high-end restaurants.
“It was very exciting to see the first three 20-foot container loads arrive here last month,” he added.
Meanwhile, Statos noted Kit Hin sources local ingredients from trusted farmers and partners and practices a ‘farm-to-table concept’ supporting local communities through their Fair-Trade policy.
In the meantime, gula apong, with its sweet caramel flavour, is an appealing natural sweetener and offers a healthier alternative to white sugar.
It is rich in minerals like iron, calcium, sodium and magnesium and is also low Glycemic Index (GI).
Statos chief executive officer (CEO) Chew Chang Guan said, “This year we have seen several excellent Sarawak products break into the Singapore market and beyond.
“In fact, Statos is now working with Kit Hin and other food and beverage suppliers to explore further export opportunities in Taiwan, Japan, Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
In the interim, Statos is actively looking for export-ready food products and producers with product certifications like MeSTI, HACCP, Halal, GMP and MyGap.
Eligible producers are encouraged to contact Lau at kenny.lau@statos.com.sg or TC Tan at tc.tan@statos.com.sg. — DayakDaily
