Food truck entrepreneurs can dominate market – Yahya
PUTATAN: Young food truck entrepreneurs have the potential to dominate the future economic market, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin.
He said youths should spearhead the Business on Truck (BOT) trend as they have the ability to come up with fresh innovative and creative marketing strategy, and interior as well as exterior design that can go viral online.
"We can see many positive factors with the mobilization of businesses. Besides savings in premises rental costs, electricity and water costs, and maintenance costs, it can also bring businesses closer to customers at different places," said Yahya when officiating the 2017 BOT Carnival closing ceremony at Dewan Sri Putatan here yesterday.
"Youths who want to enter the business field must find the best way and can no longer solely focus on conventional business methods if they want to compete with other entrepreneurs.
"Social sites like Facebook and Instagram must be fully utilized to market the businesses on trucks. This is the newest trend that has become the local communities' choice in choosing a different environment to enjoy dishes," he urged.
Yahya, who is also Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, said entrepreneurs will also be able to contribute to the state's macro development through the creation of jobs.
"The important thing is the experience gained by participants throughout the BOT Carnival, including the Halal preparation certification seminar, can open their and other youths' minds and awareness to partake in this entrepreneurship field," he said.
"This field is also seen to provide hundreds of job opportunities for the local market.
"Even though it is a big responsibility, I believe they are the ones who will dominate the economic market in the future," added Yahya.
The BOT Carnival was hosted by the Putatan District Office and Council, and organized by the Sabah Youth and Sports (Federal) Department to expose youths to the new business concept and encourage them to be involved in the business field.
Deputy Youth Development director Dr Mohd Ghani Mohd Yusof, Assistant Putatan District officer Hassan Mahali and Putatan District Council executive officer Ag Saifudin Jumaat were also at the closing ceremony.