SEPANG: AirAsia Group Bhd will promote more than 500 local products leveraging on extensive platforms such Santan, T&Co and OURSHOP.
The initiative is in line with the government’s effort to support local products via “Buy Malaysia Products” campaign to drive domestic economic growth, while improving global awareness of the quality of Malaysian-made goods.
AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said being one of the country’s top employer, the low-cost carrier can help grow local enterprises.
“We hope through this campaign, we can help grow local and social enterprises and make buying decisions that promote and showcase homegrown, regional products to the world,” he said after announcing AirAsia’s collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs through the ‘Buy Malaysia Products’ campaign.
Fernandes said the partnership would enable local products to be marketed and sold throughout the carrier’s inflight and cafe menus, waiving listing fees for local businesses.
AirAsia has identified eight potential new local products to be marketed onboard via its inflight menus in the third-quarter this year.
It said it had begun assessing the potential foods and beverages products based on its standard requirements for onboard sales.
Malaysia-sourced products already make up around half of AirAsia’s Santan and T&Co coffee menus, with the airline supporting local manufacturing of items such as Pendang Mineral Water, T&Co’s BBQ Potato Chips and Hokkien Prawn Noodles, which are sold exclusively onboard AirAsia flights.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the joint initiative with AirAsia helps to raise awareness of the quality of Malaysia’s products and services.
“We are excited to work with AirAsia, as the airline is a home-grown brand that is recognised across the globe.”
Saifuddin added that the initiative would enable local businesses to leverage on the carrier’s over 100 million traffic, while promoting growth in their products.