Sarawak entrepreneurs urged to market products outside state

An umbrella body of small entrepreneurs today advised traders in Sarawak to also sell their products outside the state to garner bigger profits.

The Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs Alliance of Malaysia (IKHLAS) said handicraft products sold for RM10 in Sarawak were marketed at RM100 outside the state by middle-men.

"This is something serious that must be addressed," said IKHLAS president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah.

He suggested that Sarawak small entrepreneurs establish close rapport with government marketing agencies such as FAMA, Kraftangan and MARA to help them market their products outside the state.

Mohd Ridzuan said Sarawak was rich in food, agricultural and handicraft products which could fetch high prices outside the state.

He said a study by IKHLAS found that marketing issues were a setback for the progress of small entrepreneurs.