MRCA Launches F&B Division

MRCA Event

MRCA Launches F&B Division

In an e ort to protect food & beverage (F&B) retail businesses, MRCA has taken a targeted approach with the launch of the F&B division.

RCA launched M the F&B (Food & Beverage) Division at a virtual event that was graced by Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia. The event was attended by MRCA members, honorary past presidents, executive committee members, guests and media partners.

The F&B Division, which is headed by Datuk Seri Garry Chua, MRCA Immediate Past President, is aimed at representing the voices and plight of F&B retailers. The key objectives of the division include supporting members in matters of business; to organise events to encourage and foster collaboration; to equip members with the right skills, information and training; and to promote professional development of division members.

Besides lobbying for fair charges by delivery platforms, Datuk Seri Garry said the division will also lobby for healthy competitive behaviour from delivery platforms. The F&B Division has pledged to lobby for extension and improvement to the Covid-19 Act to protect and preserve retail businesses a ected by the movement control orders (MCOs).

“We will also be lobbying for dine-in for vaccinated patrons as soon as possible, and business recovery funding for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as for government-initiated mediation on outstanding rent issues between landlords and tenants during MCOs (Movement Control Orders),” Datuk Seri Garry.

He added, “Most F&B retailers, I would say, are su ering tremendously because they have big rentals to pay. We hope the government would also give us a strong subsidy (rental) of 50%, or at least 30-40%. That would help a lot with the goodwill and compassion of landlords. I think most of the F&B retailers could stay in business easier as a result and not collapse because cash flow is very tight.”

Datuk Seri Garry pointed out that the impact of the pandemic is worse than the 1998 economic crisis, with 70% of retailers struggling to make ends meet. In addressing the viewers, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy said, “This new division will be a concrete and formidable platform for MRCA members, not just to assist and support each other, but also to expand the business network to foster more collaboration, goodwill, and understanding. It will also bene t entrepreneurs in developing local businesses and attract more F&B brand participation, which will ultimately increase economic activities to ensure viable long-term bene ts to stakeholders within the industry.”

She added that the launch of MRCA’s F&B division is timely and in line with the Ministry’s transformation strategies to enhance demand sophistication by increasing tourist experiences that are unique, di erentiated and memorable. Therefore, it is important to increase the value of services and goods provided to tourists.

The launch of this Division is also expected to help MRCA members in the F&B industry to gain invaluable opportunities to raise businessrelated issues and gain access to rst-hand information from the authorities that would bene t their respective business.