ALW 2018, A Platform To Grow Malaysian Lifestyle Sector

SERDANG (Selangor, Malaysia) Aug 10 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Lifestyle Week (ALW) 2018 will be the best platform to grow the Malaysian lifestyle sector by capitalising on the ASEAN region, said the Ministry of Foreign Affair. Its ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat director general, Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani said the event, taking place at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Sept 8 to 9, would also be the one-stop centre for the international buyers and sellers to access lifestyle products from member countries. "This would present an opportunity for Malaysia to lead in yet an untapped segment across the region, as ALW will showcase the best that ASEAN small and medium-sized enterprises have to offer in the lifestyle sector," he said during ALW 2018 soft launch here, Thursday. Ahmad Rozian said in 2017, Malaysia's exports of lifestyle products registered a 4.1 per cent increase to reach RM39.18 billion as compared to the previous year. "Main lifestyle exports include textiles, apparels and footwear which rose by 10.4 per cent (RM15.33 billion), followed by furniture which recorded a growth of 6.4 per cent (RM10.14 billion). "A total of RM15.42 billion of lifestyle products were exported for the first five months this year," he said. Themed 'Delivering Wholesome Solutions', the two-day event organised by Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia (Penyayang), is also being supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). Meanwhile, Penyayang chief executive officer Leela Mohd Ali said the event was expected to have 150 exhibitors from 20 countries taking part and 20,000 visitors. She said it would open doors for local entrepreneurs. “We want to make Kuala Lumpur a lifestyle hub, especially to promote local businesses,” she said. Leela said ALW 2018 is being held in conjunction with the 15th Piala Seri Endon Batik Design Competition, to challenge Malaysian young designers to come up with innovative creations revolving around batik art. “We are holding the two events together to promote Malaysian Batik – Crafted For the World, a movement which is under the patronage of our fifth prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and initiated by his wife, the late Endon Mahmood. "It aims to discover and provide a platform to support, recognise and encourage Malaysia’s batik-making talent, as well as to promote local batik industry internationally," she added. -- BERNAMA