KUALA LUMPUR: The government is keen to work with Japanese retailer Don Don Donki, which has vast international network, to promote Malaysian Made products internationally particularly in Japan.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games hosted by Japan this year would be a good opportunity to promote and showcase quality Malaysian-made products especially halal products.
"Hopefully, this collaboration between Don Don Donki and the ministry can be materialise very soon," he said in his speech at the launch of Jonetz by Don Don Donki here last week.
The first Jonetz by Don Don Donki outlet in Malaysia opened its doors to the public on March 19.
Don Don Donki, a Japanese discount chain store, is commonly found in the Asia Pacific region.
It has over 160 locations throughout Japan as well as Singapore, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Bangkok, Taiwan and Malaysia.
The Malaysian store occupies 23,476 sq m of space in Lot 10, across three floors in Bukit Bintang.
Alexander said the brand new retail outlet by Don Don Donki was evidently a sign of continuous confidence by foreign investors in the Malaysian economy during this challenging times especially in retail sector.
He said as many other developed nations, retail sector in was fast becoming one of the main contributors to the nation's gross domestic product.
"In 2019, Malaysia received RM60.46 billion worth of foreign investment in distributive trade sectors mainly from retail. This amount of foreign investment created 392,634 new job opportunities for Malaysians.
"In 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic and implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the retail sales contributed RM511 billion to national GDP," he said.
Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp (PPIH), the parent company Don Don Donki, is expanding its business to Asia Pacific region with the introduction of the specialty store concept, selling Japan-made or made for Japan merchandises.
Pan Pacific Malaysia president Satoshi Machida said the group planned to open up 11 stores in the region in five years between 2021 and 2024.
The store in Lot 10 sells Japanese snacks and groceries, including a variety of halal-certified Wagyu beef platters and barbecued meat.
It also offers ready-to-eat meals and desserts, such as sushi platters along with Japanese cakes and treats, and cooking equipment and other electronics items as well as skincare, beauty products and other lifestyle items.