Malaysia Airports Pushes Bumiputera EEP Agenda By Awarding More Outlets Under Its CSR Programme - A Collaboration Between Malaysia Airports And MITI

Sepang, October 8 - Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (Malaysia Airports) today pushes the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Plan (EEP) agenda further by awarding six more retail outlets under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme to qualified bumiputera companies to operate at klia2 terminal. This programme is a collaboration between Malaysia Airports and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI). 

The six outlets are Agro Bazaar, Santai Reflexology, Chill Malaysia, my souvenirs.com, Rasa Tid Bits and Noi's Kopitiam operating in industries that range from food & beverage to services and retail.

Speaking at the award ceremony at klia2, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said that this initiative is in line with Malaysia Airports’ role as a GLC that is one of the country’s most important economic accelerator. Thus, the programme is geared towards helping enhancing bumiputera entrepreneurship and commerce by providing them the opportunity and platform to exercise their innovative and entrepreneurship capabilities.

It is also in response to the Government’s call to the nation’s government-linked companies (GLCs) to participate in the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Plan.  The goal is to provide bumiputera entrepreneurs with the platform to nurture and showcase their businesses in the international arena.

Datuk Badlisham revealed that this CSR initiative with MITI had started from 2006 in KLIA Main Terminal. Currently there are three companies in operation at KLIA Main Terminal under this program.

The program has also been extended to Malaysia Airports’ newest pride – the klia2 Terminal. Under the CSR Programme at klia2, Malaysia Airports has allocated 17 outlets specifically for SME bumiputera businesses.  These are over and above the existing outlets dedicated to bumiputera that were procured through other Malaysia Airports CSR Program. To date, 11 outlets had been awarded under the CSR Programme.

Datuk Badlisham added further that while klia2 was developed with a strong commercial focus, plans have been put in place  so that new bumiputera companies are able to set their footprints in the international arena along with other more established brands. 

Bumiputera participation amongst retail outlets at klia2 terminal currently stands at 35% and Malaysia Airports is committed to increase it further to 38% by the end of 2014 with participation coming from allocated outlets under the CSR Programme as well as from other dedicated bumiputera allocation of outlets.   

These figures are among the highest compared to other downtown malls which only register on average between 5% to 10% bumiputera participation. Malaysia Airports is targeting to have approximately 50% Bumiputera participation by the year 2018. 

Datuk Badlisham explained: "The CSR Programme is geared towards ensuring that a competitive and equal platform is provided for its participants.  Only the best few who submitted sound and sustainable business plans are selected from the many aspiring Bumiputera entrepreneurs. 

klia2 has allowed and will continue to allow bumiputera companies to benefit not only in terms of business opportunities and growth, but also in building invaluable experience and track record for developing and operating within a world-class travel retail environment."