Kuala lumpur: The Perlis branch of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) has channelled grants totalling RM510,500 to nine Agro-Food and Agro-Based Industry (IMAT) entrepreneurs in the state as of today to enhance product competitiveness and expand market access. FAMA Perlis director Mohd Anzara Azizan stated that the grants include RM392,000 for the Agro-Tourism Grant, RM25,000 for the KSHOPPE Outlet Improvement Grant, RM10,000 for the Marketing Equipment Support Grant, and RM83,500 for the Product Image and Packaging Improvement Grant.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the distribution of these grants is one of FAMA's initiatives to help entrepreneurs increase sales and income while enhancing marketing effectiveness to remain relevant with current trends. The image improvement grant is part of the IMAT Market Development and Product Matching Project, aimed at benefiting Stage One to Stage Three small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to compete more effectively in the local market. Mohd Anzara shared these insights with reporters after presenting the Product Image and Packaging Improvement Grant at the Perlis FAMA Office.

Meanwhile, Mohd Anzara reported that sales recorded by 319 IMAT entrepreneurs in Perlis had reached RM4.8 million as of today, showcasing a 30 percent increase compared with the corresponding period last year. This growth indicates that FAMA's assistance and guidance have successfully enhanced entrepreneurs' competitiveness while helping to expand the market for local products.

He also mentioned that FAMA monitors the marketing and pricing of entrepreneurs' products to ensure they remain reasonably priced and competitive. Moreover, FAMA offers nearly nine types of grants and support services to IMAT entrepreneurs, with hopes that more business owners will take advantage of these facilities to grow their enterprises.