Kuala lumpur: Three days before returning to the 2026 Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA 2026), Nur Liyana Abd Malek is set to share her entrepreneurial journey at the event that helped transform her small-scale venture into an internationally recognised business.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Boohachi Infinity Sdn Bhd managing director said her first participation in MAHA 2014 was a turning point for her seaweed-based business under the Teego brand, which was then operated on a small scale from her home. Nur Liyana's initial exposure at MAHA 2014 allowed her products to gain recognition, starting with just one booth and 10 employees. She began by offering samples to visitors, which led to increased demand and recognition for her products.
The 36-year-old Selangor-born entrepreneur, who established her company on July 1, 2021, shared that her early products included goat milk, biscuits, and snacks in various flavours. During her first participation in MAHA, she sold all 100 bottles she brought, necessitating the hiring of additional workers to meet the growing demand. From RM106,619 in sales in 2014, Nur Liyana's business expanded to record RM19.63 million in sales last year, showcasing the growth achieved since her initial participation.
She expressed that this achievement bolstered her confidence to further develop the business, with MAHA serving as a vital platform for product promotion, networking, and customer acquisition. She highlighted that every MAHA event inspires her to excel, and she has consistently participated in the biennial exhibition.
Nur Liyana remarked that MAHA 2024 marked a significant milestone for her company when Teego sold about one million bottles of milk within 11 days across six exhibition locations, supported by 14 sales employees and seven production workers. She emphasized that MAHA's impact extends beyond the exhibition period, prompting her company to strategize for opportunities before, during, and after the event.
She noted that MAHA has strengthened confidence in the Teego brand among customers, agents, stockists, and distributors while fostering business-to-business opportunities. The presence of international visitors at MAHA has allowed Teego to introduce its products to overseas markets and gain exposure to new technologies and industry advancements.
The development of milk products with a shelf life of up to 18 months at room temperature has facilitated the company's expansion into several ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Singapore. For MAHA 2026, Nur Liyana aims to increase Teego's participation from six to 10 exhibition locations and achieve sales of up to three million bottles of milk.
MAHA 2026, themed 'Creating Value for Food Security,' will take place at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from Aug 28 to Sept 6.