COSENI inks MoU to bring HARUMi brand into Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Koperasi Penggiat Seni Sabah Berhad (COSENI) becomes the first to ink a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DBE Gurney Resources Berhad to bring the latter's HARUMi brand into Sabah.

COSENI chairman said the HARUMi venture is the coop's first initiative to safeguard the future and livelihood of its members as they continue on with their passion in the arts.

"COSENI realizes that life in the arts only has a lifespan of about 20 to 40 years. Many among the artists spend their lifetime in devotion to the arts, but ended in destitute," said Arnez during the MoU signing ceremony here.

"Sad stories of several prominent national and state artists that finally end up bedridden in old folks home and hospitals with nothing are aplenty. In recognition of that fact, COSENI was established and the agenda to improve the level of artists in Sabah is one of its main objectives.

"COSENI promotes and provides opportunities for its members to engage in business, regardless of whether it is directly in the art field or other types of businesses. Cooperation with the D.B.E Gurney Resources Berhad and COSENI allows 23 of its members to start the HARUMi business kiosks," he explained.

The chairman added, the second phase involves the implementation of a food truck businesses, while the third phase is the establishment of a restaurant by the end of 2017.

The COSENI HARUMi business network will cover the Kota Belud, Ranau, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Kinarut areas, and an additional two stockists by COSENI members.

According to DBE Gurney Resources Bhd group managing director Dato Alex Ding Seng Huat, HARUMi as the first Halal-certified fried chicken brand in Malaysia has more than 200 HARUMi kiosks and HARUMi express, three food trucks and three restaurants in Peninsula Malaysia.

With the HARUMi-COSENI MoU, the brand enters the East Malaysia market for the first time and plans to expand its network throughout Sabah, Labuan and Brunei Darussalam.

The company also targets to operate 30 restaurants, 3,000 HARUMi kiosks and 300 food trucks by 2018 through franchising by 2018.

"Sabah is a state that is rapidly developing. The vast market opportunities and the shortage of local fried chicken brand in Sabah makes the cooperation with COSENI into something that will give a positive impact to the economy and population in Sabah," said Ding.

"With a capital as low as RM5,000, plus loan facility from COSENI, HARUMi entrepreneurs can start a full-fledged business complete with cooking equipment, raw materials and revolving capital.

"We also hope that this MoU cooperation will open up more opportunities for other strategic partnerships in Sabah that will benefit all stakeholders and provide a prosperous economy for the people of Sabah," he added.