One-stop centre for Taiwan products
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians who love Taiwanese food and products can now get their favourites at the first-ever Taiwan’s One Town One Product (OTOP), which has opened its doors here.
The country’s first showcase store, with more planned, is at the Sunway Velocity Mall in Cheras and has begun operations with over 300 products.
The OTOP project – which was started in 1989 by Taiwan’s Economic Affairs Ministry’s Small and Medium Enterprise Administration – is as an initiative to promote the development of specialty products in the 368 different townships across Taiwan.
Among the unique products available that bring modern twists to traditional goodies, are Yuanlin Cincao (grass jelly), honey twist crackers and the popular Taiwan Rou-Guan micro-towel, which combines moisturising and massaging effects.
The OTOP Malaysian chapter will be operated by Jimrosa (M) Sdn Bhd.
Its director, Willy Seah, said at least half of the products on sale in Malaysia are halal-certified and that the company is in the midst of applying halal certifications for its remaining products.
“A lot of our suppliers are supplying halal products. Slowly we will get the other products to be certified as well, considering the huge Muslim community here,” he told theSun during the official launch of the store yesterday.
Seah said the company expects to generate RM1 million in sales per year.
“We have scoured many countries through exhibitions and fairs, and realised that the market here is quite positive. That’s why we picked Malaysia for our newest OTOP store.
“And of course we have plans to open up more in the country. We are looking at states like Penang and Johor, maybe next year,” he said. – by Amar Shah Mohsen