Sungai besar: The Persatuan Usahawan Wawasan Wanita Malaysia (WAWASANITA) plans to establish a food manufacturing and packaging hub in the district to help small-scale kerepek or chips and crackers entrepreneurs take their products to international markets, starting with Turkiye in May next year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, WAWASANITA president Dr Norli @ Norlaili Alias stated that the initiative would be carried out in collaboration with more than 60 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), industry players, associations, and village heads to strengthen the rural community's economic ecosystem.
She explained that the hub would improve packaging quality, product shelf life, and the competitiveness of local small-scale industries through the adoption of the latest technology and marketing under a single integrated brand. "The initiative aims to transform the potential of cottage industries, so they become more competitive rather than operating in isolation, particularly when it comes to poor-quality packaging. Through this hub, we will improve product quality and shelf life using the latest technology before marketing them overseas under a single integrated brand, such as 'Kerepek International,'" she told reporters at the Sehimpun Sehaluan Dinner at Dewan Seri Bernam.
Also present at the event were Political Secretary to the Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii, Sungai Besar UMNO chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos, and Sungai Panjang state constituency coordinator Datuk Mohd Imran Tamrin. Dr Norli mentioned that the initiative is expected to increase entrepreneurs' sales and profit margins by about 30 per cent while creating opportunities for local products to penetrate overseas markets.
Earlier at the event, Mohd Razlan, accompanied by Dr Norli, presented offer letters to 20 Selangor entrepreneurs for car detailing and mobile coffee businesses, as well as contributions to 16 asnaf children. The inaugural Sehimpun Sehaluan event gathered nearly 600 guests, including 80 NGO chairpersons. It served as a platform for dialogue with Mohd Razlan, allowing community representatives to raise local issues, public needs, and proposals for the Federal Government's consideration and coordination.