F&B sector to contribute RM30 bil in 2020: Ng.

Date: 5 December 2012

F&B sector to contribute RM30 bil in 2020: Ng.

MELAKA: The Tourism Ministry targets RM30 billion from the total income of RM168 billion from the tourism sector to be contributed by the food and beverage sector by 2020. Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the target was achievable because tourists to the country spent a large amount on food and beverage.

She said RM10 billion of the income of RM58.3 billion from the tourism sector last year was from the food and beverage sector.  "We are confident of achieving this target as our country has numerous food products which can be enjoyed by tourists," she told reporters after opening the state level '1Malaysia Fabulous Food 2012' here.

Also present was Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. She said in the effort to reach the target, traders were urged to enhance cleanliness in the handling of food and drinks, and their quality. She said the move must be stressed upon because the food and beverage industry was a very important tourism product to boost the national economy.

Meanwhile, Ng said '1Malaysia Fabulous Food' was an ongoing initiative of the ministry to introduce various food products in the country and help boost income from tourism.  She said three menus were selected as food icons in the programme each year where yong tau foo, rojak and mi rebus were picked to promote national tourism this year.

She said the ministry lauded the selection of different menus from traders and the people to be promoted among tourists in the country. – Bernama

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