By Peter Sibon
SERIAN, August 22: Local tuak (rice wine) makers should try to sell their products to Japan especially during the Olympic Games next year, said Prime Minister ‘s Special Envoy to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem.
“It could be an idea for the local tuak makers to try to sell their products to Japan in the coming Olympic Games. It could be a hit, we never know,” Riot said in a lighter vein during a news conference after a closed-door briefing with Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) Association of Sarawak (SME Sarawak) at a hotel here today.
Additionally, he said that the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, to be held next year would be the best avenue for Malaysia to promote its halal products.
“The Japanese Ambassador in Malaysia Oka Hiroshi did tell me that the Tokyo Olympic Games 2021 would be the best platform or avenue Malaysia to promote its halal products,” said Riot, explaining that penetrating the market at the Olympic games could be a stepping stone to penetrating the global market.
He revealed that a local brewing company Greenleaf Food and Beverages based in Kuching is now able to produce 80,000 cans of soft drinks daily which could be promoted at the Tokyo Olympic next year.
“Once they are able to penetrate the Olympic Games, the you are able to penetrating the whole world as far as the halal products is concerned,” he said.
Riot also highlighted that after his discussion with ambassadors from Japan, South Korea and Taipei’s Economic and Cultural representative in Kuala Lumpur recently, they highlighted the need for Malaysia to catch up with digitisation, Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the Halal platform.
“They were sharing with me that we should concentrate on these three. And since we are known for our Halal products, so we should capitalise on it,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Riot who is also Serian MP said the discussion with SME Sarawak was fruitful as many issues were raised and discussed on how to improve the involvement of SMEs, especially those from Sarawak.
“And I should say that the discussion apart from their presentation and apart from me telling them of what is requited of me in my new role as the special envoy to the prime minister which covers three courtiers; Japan, South Korea and Taiwan,” he added.—DayakDaily
