KUCHING: The Kuching International Airport’s Sense of Malaysia retail store has recorded total sales of RM552,734.70 from its opening to March 2025, highlighting its role in promoting local entrepreneurs and heritage products.
Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) general manager Mohd Shahren Mohd Yusri described it as an impressive achievement in less than a year, considering the challenges of marketing heritage-based products.
Operating since June 1, 2024, he noted he never expected the journey to continue and receive such a warm reception.
“It has never been easy to sell heritage products.
“Thank you Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) for the encouraging collaboration, which has given CENTEXS Commercial the opportunity to secure a space at the airport under the Sense of Malaysia programme.
“Our presence here aims to promote local products from Sarawak entrepreneurs,” he said during a press conference after officiating at the Rona Warni Aidilfitri X-Travaganza 2.0 campaign at Sense of Malaysia, Kuching International Airport today.
Shahren added that the outlet has recorded around 25,000 visitors, with 70 per cent comprising domestic tourists from Peninsular Malaysia and other parts of the country.
Noting that the Sense of Malaysia platform offers a variety of products, including food and beverages, he asserted that Kek Lapis Sarawak is particularly the best-seller.
“Feedback from international tourists has been overwhelmingly positive, especially for handcrafted products.
“These items are easy to carry and do not pose issues with customs regulations.
“Meanwhile, domestic tourists, particularly those from Peninsular Malaysia, prefer Kek Lapis Sarawak,” he said.
As such, he called on the media and local social media influencers to help promote Sarawak products, believing that with wider publicity, sales could reach RM5 million within a few months.
“We aim to expand our market further, including bringing local products to Peninsular Malaysia next year,” he said.
As of now, Shahren said that CENTEXS has assisted 378 active entrepreneurs in Sarawak, although they have engaged with nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs in total.
Many have since expanded their businesses through other platforms.
He revealed that Kek Lapis alone generates nearly RM3,000 in daily sales, with individual entrepreneurs earning between RM24,000 and RM25,000 per month.
Meanwhile, craft product sales can reach up to RM10,000 per month.
“This is just the beginning.
“We will explore more strategic ways to further expand and promote Sarawak’s heritage products on a larger scale,” he said.
