Kuala Lumpur:Lotus's Malaysia and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) have reinforced their strategic alliance through the 'Jom Beli Produk Malaysia' (JOM MALAYSIA) 2026 program, aimed at aiding local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in breaking into the modern retail market.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative by Lotus's Malaysia emphasizes boosting competitiveness, broadening market access, and fostering sustainable growth for local businesses.
Azliza Baizura Azmel, the corporate services executive director of Lotus's Malaysia, stated that support for local SMEs transcends merely offering retail space, as it also involves bolstering the capacities of entrepreneurs to expand their businesses. This commitment ultimately benefits consumers by providing a wider array of product choices and better value.
The program, inaugurated at Lotus's Ampang by Datuk Rohaizi Bahari, secretary of the Trade, Distribution, and Business Division at KPDN, alongside Azliza Baizura, also included the presentation of appointment certificates to new suppliers and recognition of SME suppliers who exhibited remarkable sales growth and delivery performance.
The JOM MALAYSIA 2026 event featured a four-day carnival at Lotus's Ampang, which gathered 20 local entrepreneurs to directly showcase their products to consumers, thereby increasing product visibility and enhancing their understanding of customer needs and preferences.
Lotus's, which operates 71 branches nationwide, offers a platform to expand access to local products, aiding suppliers in enhancing product standards, operational readiness, and supply consistency. Additionally, Lotus's continues to support this ecosystem through its SME Empowerment Seminar initiative, with the third edition themed "Unlock Your Potential - Mastering Business Growth for SMEs," attracting over 150 participants from more than 80 micro-enterprises.
The JOM MALAYSIA initiative, formerly known as the "Buy Malaysian Products Campaign," has been rebranded by KPDN this year to strengthen efforts in promoting local products and enhancing the capabilities of Malaysian enterprises.