Kuala Lumpur: The ‘Malaysian Product, Japanese Taste’ programme held at Don Don Donki Malaysia as part of the 2025 Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign is opening new opportunities for local entrepreneurs to access international markets, with a particular focus on Japan.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative was launched by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Trade, Distribution and Business Sector senior director, Datuk Rohaizi Bahari. The programme aims to enhance local companies’ product quality, packaging, certification, food labelling, and production capacity. Rohaizi emphasized that this collaboration between KPDN and Don Don Donki Malaysia marks a significant step towards reinforcing Malaysia’s economic identity by empowering local products.
At the launch event at Don Don Donki’s Mid Valley branch, Rohaizi detailed that the programme currently showcases products from five local companies, offering a total of 281 stock keeping units (SKUs) across four Don Don Donki Malaysia branches, including Lot 10 Bukit Bintang, Mid Valley Megamall, Sunway Pyramid, and NU Sentral.
The programme is set to expand to Japan in August, involving 19 Malaysian brand companies and 70 SKUs to be marketed at Don Don Donki branches in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Chubu, and Kyushu. Rohaizi highlighted that this initiative demonstrates international retail players’ support for the Malaysian government’s efforts to stimulate domestic economic growth and expand local companies’ global reach.
He further noted that the programme not only introduces Malaysian products to a broader audience but also raises international awareness of their quality and creativity. Don Don Donki’s extensive presence in Asia, including over 50 branches in countries like Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, and Taiwan, presents a strategic opportunity for local entrepreneurs to access overseas markets.
Rohaizi cited data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), indicating positive growth in Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade sector, with the country’s Gross Domestic Product growing by 5.1% in 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, wholesale and retail sales reached RM154 billion in March 2025.
The Local 2 Global Retail programme’s implementation with strategic partners in Japan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates last year generated an overall positive sales value of RM532,159.90. Moreover, the Local Product Empowerment Initiative in the Local Retail Industry and Marketplace achieved sales nearing RM7.5 billion through 20 strategic partnerships.