SUBANG JAYA (Sept 4): The number of Malaysian restaurants overseas has seen a 42.5% increase since the Malaysia Kitchen Programme (MKP) – which aims to promote the country through its cuisine – was relaunched in 2010.
Minister for International Trade and Industry Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said the MKP, which is under the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), has been successful in helping to increase the number of restaurants worldwide from 454 in 2010 to 647.
The restaurants are located mainly in Australia (207), the United States (84), Britain (64), New Zealand (46), Indonesia (46), the Philippines (27), Thailand (27) , China (25), Canada (24) and Hong Kong (20).
“Malaysian restaurants abroad can not only help local businessmen become successful but also serve as ambassadors to promote Malaysia as an attractive investment location and tourism spot, “ said Mustapa on Monday evening when announcing MKP’s progress and local restaurant Kelantan Delights’ plans to expand to London under the programme.
Kelantan Delights, which has two outlets in Malaysia, has been operating for 15 years. The London outlet, which is scheduled to open in January, will be on Baker Street.
The minister said that he was confident that the restaurant has the experience to be successful in the London market.
“London is a very tough market, and it’s not easy to survive, but I am confident that with the expertise of this group they will do well in London,” he said.
The MKP, which was first launched in 2006, had been placed under various agencies and ministries before ending up under Matrade in 2009, where it has evolved to become a national branding initiative.
The programme also offers financing for up to 90 percent of the project costs, inclusive of three months’ working capital, to help Malaysian entrepreneurs who want to expand their restaurant business overseas. The financing programe, which is offered with the support of Export-Import Bank Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank), has been running for four years.
Kelantan Delights chairman Sabri Ab Rahman said that the government help was “God sent” as it makes it possible for them to expand at a larger scale and at a faster rate.
Sabri also added that the company hoped to expand to four outlets overseas within the next two years, all of them serving authentic Malay food.
Datuk Adissaidikin Ali, the managing director and CEO of EXIM Bank, said that the loan was available for Malaysian-owned companies that fit the eligibility requirements.
One of the specifications of the loan is that the restaurant must serve Malaysian food, which is defined on the bank website as “food that is traditionally and customarily consumed by Malaysians.”
http://my.news.yahoo.com/malaysian-kitchen-programme-helps-increase-overseas-restaurants-over-040618559.html
Minister for International Trade and Industry Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said the MKP, which is under the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), has been successful in helping to increase the number of restaurants worldwide from 454 in 2010 to 647.
The restaurants are located mainly in Australia (207), the United States (84), Britain (64), New Zealand (46), Indonesia (46), the Philippines (27), Thailand (27) , China (25), Canada (24) and Hong Kong (20).
“Malaysian restaurants abroad can not only help local businessmen become successful but also serve as ambassadors to promote Malaysia as an attractive investment location and tourism spot, “ said Mustapa on Monday evening when announcing MKP’s progress and local restaurant Kelantan Delights’ plans to expand to London under the programme.
Kelantan Delights, which has two outlets in Malaysia, has been operating for 15 years. The London outlet, which is scheduled to open in January, will be on Baker Street.
The minister said that he was confident that the restaurant has the experience to be successful in the London market.
“London is a very tough market, and it’s not easy to survive, but I am confident that with the expertise of this group they will do well in London,” he said.
The MKP, which was first launched in 2006, had been placed under various agencies and ministries before ending up under Matrade in 2009, where it has evolved to become a national branding initiative.
The programme also offers financing for up to 90 percent of the project costs, inclusive of three months’ working capital, to help Malaysian entrepreneurs who want to expand their restaurant business overseas. The financing programe, which is offered with the support of Export-Import Bank Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank), has been running for four years.
Kelantan Delights chairman Sabri Ab Rahman said that the government help was “God sent” as it makes it possible for them to expand at a larger scale and at a faster rate.
Sabri also added that the company hoped to expand to four outlets overseas within the next two years, all of them serving authentic Malay food.
Datuk Adissaidikin Ali, the managing director and CEO of EXIM Bank, said that the loan was available for Malaysian-owned companies that fit the eligibility requirements.
One of the specifications of the loan is that the restaurant must serve Malaysian food, which is defined on the bank website as “food that is traditionally and customarily consumed by Malaysians.”
http://my.news.yahoo.com/malaysian-kitchen-programme-helps-increase-overseas-restaurants-over-040618559.html
Malay Taste Week at Westfiled Stratford City, UK
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