Kuala Lumpur: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) is progressing with the formulation of the Distribution Trade Master Plan (DTMP) 2025-2035, which is anticipated to be unveiled by the fourth quarter of this year. Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali disclosed that KPDN is actively collecting feedback from stakeholders and retail industry participants through a series of engagement sessions involving the ministry’s secretary-general and deputy secretary-general.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Armizan expressed his aspiration for the master plan to foster strong collaboration not only among government entities but also with retail industry players and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He emphasized the necessity of a structured approach to ensure the initiative’s success and suggested possibly obtaining a list of retail industry players from the Finance Ministry. These comments were made during the Retail Market Access Seminar and Retail Sector Entrepreneur Appreciation Ceremony.
Armizan further explained that the 10-year master plan is designed to enhance the presence of local products in the retail market and maintain the positive growth trajectory of the distribution trade sector. He highlighted the importance of a well-defined roadmap to ensure every step is strategically planned, thereby supporting the country’s overall economic growth.
In addition, Armizan noted that KPDN is executing a Development Training Programme aimed at empowering MSMEs to improve their competitiveness and market reach within the retail sector. As of last year, 420 MSME entrepreneurs participated in these training programmes, with 25 successfully entering the retail market with 179 Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) products, marking an increase from 17 entrepreneurs with 81 SKU products recorded in 2023.
Armizan also mentioned the ministry’s ‘Local To Global Retail’ initiative, which aids local entrepreneurs in marketing their products internationally. He reported that last year, 65 companies with 275 SKUs successfully penetrated markets in the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Japan.