RAMLI’S PICKLED FISH GETS BOOST
Company’s output increases after receiving 2 frying machines from Fisheries Development Authority
USING his family’s secret recipe and support from government agencies, a young entrepreneur from Kampung Biau, Bongawan, here, is able to market his traditional spicy fried pickled fish to supermarkets statewide.
Ramli Patera, 30, who founded Ma’Kalas Food, said he had initially planned to produce the pickled fish only for his family and the villagers, but then decided to expand his market.
When he first came up with the idea in 2013, Ramli, assisted by his parents and sister, faced difficulties in marketing his products in huge quantities as he had limited access to proper equipment.
However, he said, production increased drastically after his company received two frying machines, worth RM10,000 each, from the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM).
“The demand for our product increased but we were unable to meet it until we got help from LKIM.
“One of the frying machines can produce spicy pickled fish and the other, the non-spicy variant.
“With this assistance, we are able to produce 1,000 bottles of pickled fish a month.”
Other than LKIM, Ramli said the Sabah Industrial Development Ministry, through its Partnership and Outsourcing Service Programme, helped him sell his products to a wider target market statewide.
He said since the ministry assisted most small- and mediumsized enterprises, his product was sold in supermarkets and hypermarkets in the state, including G-Mart, Golden Dragon City and Bataras.
“Ma’Kalas Food products are sold throughout the state, not only due to my family’s efforts to develop the business, but also thanks to government assistance given to entrepreneurs.”
Ramli’s success garnered the attention of Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Foreign Minister and Kimanis member of parliament Datuk Seri Anifah Aman last year.
Both leaders visited the company’s production centre in Kampung Biau last year to assess its potential for nationwide and international sales.
The company’s pickled fish comes in either 150g or 200g bottles, with three flavours — traditional, spicy and original. A bottle serves up to 15 people.
Ramli said his company would focus efforts on increasing production and expanding its market reach.