Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is targeting to organise five series of the Program Inspirasi Beli Barangan Malaysia (IBBM) nationwide this year to strengthen the marketability of local products and support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Its Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the Kota Kinabalu edition, held over two days at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), marked the first series for 2026 under the Kita Beli Barangan Malaysia (KBBM) initiative.
He said the programme, which began on Saturday, was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and created new opportunities for local entrepreneurs to market home-grown products.
“The IBBM programme serves as a strategic platform to promote and market products and services produced by local industries and MSMEs.
“Programmes like this bring together our MSMEs to showcase the goods, products and services they produce.
“The purpose of organising the Program Inspirasi Beli Barangan Malaysia, as well as the KBBM initiative as a whole, is to instil a spirit of support among Malaysians, particularly to encourage them to prioritise the purchase of local products,” he told reporters after the launch of the programme last Saturday.
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Armizan said the IBBM programme is among the main platforms under KBBM aimed at bringing together various local industry players while acting as a catalyst to strengthen demand and marketability for Malaysian-made products domestically.
He said the programme also seeks to increase consumer awareness on the importance of supporting local products while providing broader opportunities for entrepreneurs to market their products to consumers and potential buyers.
“The Inspirasi Beli Barangan Malaysia Programme is one of the platforms under KBBM aimed at expanding the promotion and market for local products while strengthening the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs in an increasingly competitive market.
“Various product segments are being featured throughout the two-day programme, including food and beverages, lifestyle, beauty, fashion, handicrafts and services involving MSMEs as well as premium local brands,” he said.
Armizan said the programme also featured sales booths by local entrepreneurs, exhibitions and service counters by government agencies and KPDN strategic partners, as well as the implementation of the Program Jualan Rahmah Madani (PJRM), which offers daily necessities at affordable prices.
Apart from sales and exhibition activities, he said an entrepreneurship forum and talk session were also held in collaboration with the Persatuan Inspirasi Wanita Sabah, attracting about 500 participants comprising existing entrepreneurs and women interested in venturing into business.
He said participants were exposed to various forms of government assistance, including access to micro-financing schemes and training opportunities such as online marketing methods.
“Exposure is being provided to participants through the ongoing sessions to help strengthen their businesses and improve the marketability of their products,” he said.
Armizan said the programme featured booths by entrepreneurs from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia alongside exhibitions and service counters by related government agencies.
He added that four more IBBM series would be organised in other parts of the country following the Sabah edition.
“We want Malaysians to have confidence in and prioritise local products while supporting our MSME entrepreneurs, thereby strengthening the domestic economy,” he said.
