SUPPORT your local businesses. That’s the least we can do to be part of the Malaysian economic recovery journey.
Local businesses, especially the small and medium-scale operators, have been hit hard since the start of the pandemic when movement control was implemented to keep Covid-19 at bay.
By supporting local businesses, you are in turn supporting your local economy, which means a lot in helping them thrive.
Connecting local businesses with consumers
In doing its part to support local business owners and spur the economy, PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd (PDB) rolled out its Love Local Campaign to stimulate domestic consumption by offering exciting deals at www.lovelocal.com.my, an interactive platform that allows you to conveniently view deals near you and join in the effort of supporting local brands.
This initiative features collaboration with over 70 local brands across various industries from food and beverage, beauty, hotel, health and tourism to lifestyle experiences, including brands such as Tealive, Marrybrown, Royale Pharma, Kings Bakery, Berjaya Group, Ri-Yaz Group of hotels.
Fresh from local farms
In collaboration with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, PDB launched Segar@Mesra – a farmer-to-consumer concept that offers locally farmed fresh produce, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruits at affordable prices.
Fresh produce from local farms.
The initiative aims at assisting local farmers’ livelihoods by connecting them directly to consumers and generating consistent income while ensuring consumers have easy access to affordable fresh produce that are price capped at RM10 currently.
The packaging and delivery of the produce are managed by three key agencies under the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, namely National Farmers Organisation (Nafas), National Fishermen’s Association (Nekmat) and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), to ensure quality of the products.
To date, there are about 40 local farmers and fishermen benefitting from this initiative.
Segar@Mesra is available at four PETRONAS stations (PS) in the Klang Valley – PS Unikeb 2, Seksyen 4, Bandar Baru Bangi; PS Persiaran Jaya/Sg Ramal Dalam; PS Prima Saujana 2, Kajang; and PS Pelangi Semenyih.
These stations are strategically chosen based on the surrounding community profiling, targeting mainly the M40 and B40 group.
Residents around these areas now have a nearer option to stock up on daily ingredients – a great convenience especially during the MCO period. In addition, customers can opt to pay via Setel mobile app for Kedai Mesra items, apart from fuel, to further minimise physical contact.
“At PETRONAS, we are committed to generating a positive social impact as part of our sustainability agenda especially in supporting local businesses and brands.
Nafas supplies freshly packed Peladang premium chicken sourced from farmers in Johor and bred via contract farming.
“We have a large network of stations nationwide and have been actively encouraging local entrepreneurs to grow their business with us through campaigns such as Love Local and new initiatives like Segar@Mesra, ” said PDB managing director and chief executive officer Azrul Osman Rani.
Promoting local entrepreneurs
For the past 25 years, PDB has been supporting the growth of local businesses as part of its sustainability agenda.
To date, PDB has over 350 local vendors supplying to its Kedai Mesra nationwide, offering a variety of locally produced food and beverage items including kerepek, bakery products, juice, as well as local staples such as nasi lemak and fried noodles.
Last year, Makan@Mesra, a new eatery corner within Kedai Mesra was introduced, offering convenient yet fresh and well-balanced premium food at an affordable price.
The menu then expanded to include local Chinese and Western delights such as club and beef sandwiches, salad with snow white fish or smoked salmon, grilled chicken chop, kung pao chicken with rice, English trifle, bread-butter pudding, overnight oats and mixed fruits, among others. All these items are sourced from local vendors as part of the company’s commitment to support local businesses.
A variety of freshly-baked pastries awaits you at Kedai Mesra.
“In the past, our customers have enjoyed our breakfast offerings that are quick, ready-to-eat and affordable.
“With the introduction of Makan@Mesra, we are enhancing the experience and expanding it beyond breakfast with more quality offerings to ensure our customers have ready-to-eat well-balanced meals throughout the day.
“We look forward to expanding the menu as we discover more potential local suppliers with offerings that align well with our Makan@Mesra concept, ” said Azrul.
With Segar@Mesra and Makan@Mesra in place, one can now conveniently drive to the nearest station within their neighbourhood to get their daily supplies and ready-to-eat meals especially during this MCO period to minimise the risk of visiting crowded areas. It is fresh, affordable and most importantly, locally produced so you too can play a role in supporting local businesses out there.
As an individual, our purchasing behaviour and decisions have the power to change lives and aid Malaysia’s economic recovery journey. Together, we can do so much more.
#LoveLocal #SupportLocal #KitaAdaKita
