3 minute read
President’s Message
Dear Members, 2022 has been an eventful year despite the impact of the pandemic. Over the last several months, the economic and business outlook have increasingly shown tremendous promise with the restoration and opening up of business operations across various segments.
Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, I am pleased to say that the direct selling industry has forged ahead and has thrived in the face of adversity. According to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (MDTCA), there has been a 19 percent increase in sales among direct selling companies in 2020 recording RM25.7 billion compared to RM21.5 billion in 2019. As of end-August 2022, sales turnover of the industry stands at RM24 billion and is projected to reach RM26.5 billion. Malaysia is also ranked 6th globally and 4th in Asia Pacific in terms of sales according to the 2021 Direct Selling Retail Sales Report issued by the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA). This is indeed encouraging news amidst the pandemic and shows how much potential the direct selling industry presents.
This year, MDTCA launched the direct selling roadmap which is the Ministry’s blueprint on the future direction of the industry, created in the interest of all parties involved in the industry to establish a more conducive and dynamic business ecosystem that can develop both locally and internationally. My fellow committee members and I had the opportunity to speak to Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, Secretary General of MDTCA, who shared his perspectives on the direction of the industry and its role in the digital economy. Read all about it in this issue and learn the positive impact that the blueprint is set to deliver to the direct selling industry.
During the pandemic, many of our members experienced the positive aspects of online business and transactions as well as tools to ramp up their sales capabilities. In fact, in many ways, digital capabilities were indeed a life-saver for the industry amidst the pandemic movement restrictions. The general public has also become more savvy with the use of online and digital technology in purchasing products and services. This transformed the entire business landscape not only for direct sellers but also other businesses.
Additionally, the pandemic has also opened the eyes of the general public on the importance of health products and supplements in order to fight COVID-19 and to stay healthy. This is an advantageous prospect for the direct selling industry, which drives higher demand for our products. It has opened new frontiers for direct sellers as consumers look to boosting their immune systems, recover from COVID-19 infections and keep long-COVID at bay. So, we need to continue to promote our health food, supplements and products, and help people strengthen their health conditions while also providing them with the opportunity to earn an extra income. During the pandemic many have lost their jobs or seen their income reduced, which has also brought about the realisation that additional sources of income is important in order to sustain during tough times. These are just some of the advantages that the direct selling industry offers to society at large.
In the coming week, DSAM has various activities planned to drive a robust industry, which include engagement sessions with government agencies, such as MDTCA. With the new blueprint in place, we want to engage MDTCA on achieving synergy and moving forward to meet targets set in the blueprint.
As the economy picks up momentum and restrictions are reduced, our members have also increased their offline sales activities. I hope that you are all able to reach out to a lot more people through their various activities such as conventions, trips and events, while also continuing to build on your online tools. As we have seen, digital capabilities and offline business activities are interrelated in current times – they go hand-in-hand, and that is the future!
The silver lining is now quite clear, so let us all leverage on the opportunities available in the market, think out-ofthe-box and continue to drive the direct selling industry forward. Remember, “There is no way to go but forward.”
Enjoy the publication and I look forward to welcoming you at DSAM events in the weeks and months ahead.
