Approval for birds’ nest export sought

IPOH: The newly-formed Malaysia Birds Nest Alliance wants the Government to allow industry players to export raw and unprocessed birds' nests (RUBN) to more countries.

Its president Lim Lai Soon said the alliance would submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister at Parliament on Tuesday.

He said nearly all of the country's RUBN producers and farmers were currently in a limbo as the export ban from China on birds nest imports had yet to be lifted.

“We want the Prime Minister to help by allowing us to export RUBN to Korea, Taiwan and other countries.

“There is also a great demand from factories and producers for RUBN in China,” he said here yesterday.

Lim also said the alliance was made aware that the protocol signing between Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar and the Chinese last month was only for the re-entry of edible bird nests (EBN) into China.

”The protocol will see China accepting only the EBN while the RUBN will still be kept in storage here.

“A lot of industry players, especially swiftlet farmers are affected by this new protocol, causing millions in losses every month,” he said.

Last month, Noh Omar signed the protocol in Nanning with China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Minister Zhi Shuping to allow the export of birds nest products into China.

Last week, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong said Malaysia hoped to resume export of raw cleaned birds nest in December.

Lim said about 50 tonnes of RUBN were harvested and produced every month by some 60,000 swiflet farms.

“RUBN is worth between RM4,000 and RM5,000 per kg,” he said.

Sarawak Export Procedure for EBN

Listed below are some notes for Export of EBN from Sarawak, Malaysia in accordance to Laws Of Sarawak, The Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.

A. What are the requirement for EBN export?
Depending on the importing country as stated below;
1. China need registration & will be audited by CNCA before export. An import permit from China is needed. Only Veterinary Health Mark (VHM), Good Veterinary hygiene Practice (GvHP) & MOH registered EBN processing plant are allowed to export because China need Veterinary Health Certificate, Country of Origin & MOH Health Certificate.
2. Singapore, Taiwan & Hong Kong - no import permit required.
3. USA- Exporter need to register with FDA.

B. What are the supporting document?
Document needed before Veterinary Permit issued are:-
1. Import permit from importing country ( if applicable)
2. Wildlife Export licence from Forestry Department.

C. How to apply Veterinary Permit? There are 2 ways to apply Veterinary export permit
1. Regular exporter are required to apply export permit online via epermit.dagangnet.com & they have to register with dagangnet. Scan & upload the wildlife export licence as the support document.
2. Manual application only for first timer but need to provide wildlife export licence as a support document. Application can download from
http://sgservicesguide.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/policy.php?polid=161

Note:
The issuance of veterinary export permit is within 3 working days. Each permit cost RM10 per consignment.

Online Permit Application Procedure
Applicant registers with Dagang Net for ePermit subscription.

Applicant submits online application.
Counter Officer verifies the application.
Competent Veterinary Officer approves the application.

Approved application will be sent to Customs Information System.

palm oil exports slow down as india buys less

KUALA LUMPUR: Palm oil shipments from Malaysia increased at a slower pace in the first 20 days of February on fewer purchases by countries in South Asia including India, the biggest buyer, according to an estimate by surveyor Intertek.

Exports climbed 0.6% to 835,612 tonnes from 830,830 tonnes in the same period in January, Intertek said in an e-mailed statement yesterday.

The gain was smaller than an 18% advance in both the first 10 days and 15 days of the month.

Shipments to South Asia fell 13% to 180,390 tonnes, compared with the same period in January, Intertek data show.

In January, India imposed a tax of 2.5% on crude palm imports and raised the benchmark price on which the tax is applicable to US$802 a tonne from US$447 to shield domestic growers from cheap overseas supplies.

Malaysia reduced taxes on crude export to zero in January and February to clear stockpiles that reached a record 2.63 million tonnes in December.

Reserves slid 1.9% to 2.58 million tonnes last month and prices in Kuala Lumpur gained 5.3% this year.

“The rise in prices may be deterring buyers from India, they may want to wait for prices to drop,” said Arhnue Tan, an analyst at Alliance Investment Bank Bhd here.

India’s import tax may also have reduced shipments, she said.

Shipments from Malaysia will be taxed at 4.5% in March as the reference price was set at RM2,306.11 a tonne, above the threshold of RM2,250 that triggers the tax.

Palm oil for delivery in May climbed dropped 0.4% to RM2,557 a tonne on the Malaysia Derivatives Exchange, after rising earlier by as much as 0.7%. — Bloomberg

EBN Export To China

EBN Processing plants that plan to export to China must upgrade their standard of hygiene & nitrite elimination procedure. They also have to properly registered the source of raw unclean EBN for traceability by using the approve DVS RFID system.

To facilitate the CNCA auditing team, all record must be make available for viewing. If you have implemented HACCP and certified by both DVS & MOH, I think you will be most probably qualified and pass the auditing.

Please ensure that your application form is duly completed with detailed explanation on each items and bind it nicely for easy reference. Good luck.

Wednesday April 18, 2012 Naza Tutti Frutti attributes success to word of mouth testimonials

LIKE durians ripening in abundance during harvest season, numerous Tutti Frutti stores offering the popular self-serve frozen yogurt (froyo) from the United States have been popping up all over Malaysia.

Naza Tutti Frutti (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Izham Hakimi Hamdi attributes the brand’s strength and popularity to the word of mouth testimonials from its customers and franchisees.

Naza Tutti Frutti (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, a company within the Naza Group of Companies, invested an initial RM4mil to acquire the master franchise title for Tutti Frutti in Malaysia. It then expanded to Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, Thailand and Qatar.

Tutti Frutti opened its first flagship store in Sunway Pyramid, Selangor in October 2009, and then five more over the following three months.


Master franchisee: Izham said the company invested an initial RM4mil to acquire the master franchise title for Tutti Frutti in Malaysia, and subsequently Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, Thailand and Qatar.
With Naza Tutti Frutti as master license holder, Tutti Frutti has grown to 90 outlets — with 85 in Malaysia (including 53 in the Klang Valley), two each in Singapore and Cambodia, and one in Brunei.

The company is looking at aggressively expanding Tutti Frutti throughout Malaysia and other regions, with 30 stores targeted for this year, including three in Qatar, two in Thailand, and one in Singapore.

Tutti Frutti Malaysia’s rapid expansion nationwide and in South-East Asia, Africa and the Middle East is carried out via its sub-franchising programme.

Izham recalled that it was not easy bringing a new brand to Malaysia, and that Tutti Frutti was developed as if establishing a homegrown brand.

“The first 12 months of the business was challenging as people were unfamiliar with the brand and what froyo was. But people grew to learn the benefits of consuming froyo, and to differentiate between froyo and ice cream,” he said.

“Education and awareness remain a constant process, with Tutti Frutti employing platforms like its website, Facebook, staff members and in-store promotional materials. Our target market is dominated by women aged between 20 and 40 and families.”

Asked about first-timers’grouses that Tutti Frutti charges by weight (per gramme) rather than per cup, Izham said price is less relevant as it is about customers buying only how much they want to eat.

Tutti Frutti presently offers over 40 flavours and over 40 toppings, although not all are offered at each outlet as only the original, chocolate and vanilla flavours are permanently featured.

“The brand has expanded exponentially due to its franchise model, which has attracted many franchisees who believe that Tutti Frutti is a proven, successful venture,” he said.

“Under Tutti Frutti Malaysia’s franchising deal, the franchisee has to propose a good retail location and be of good financial standing before coming on board.

“The master franchisor will provide everything including store design, training according to our operations manual, operations and marketing support and stock delivery.”

Depending on the size of the outlet and design, a franchise would cost between RM500,000 and RM700,000, which covers franchising fees, equipment, training, initial stock, renovation cost and marketing materials.

“One attractive factor is that Tutti Frutti Malaysia presently does not impose royalty charges, which will only be implemented in 2015 when the brand is well-established,” revealed Izham, who attributes the brand’s success to its self-serve concept that allows Tutti Frutti stores to able to operate efficiently with minimal overhead costs and staff.

“We do not forget our role as master franchisor and regularly send a quality-control team to evaluate all stores to ensure adherence to standards and provide after-sales support. Tutti Frutti has a structured organisation with departments for operational support, marketing, stock planning and purchasing, forwarding and logistics. Training also plays a role,” he added.

A 15,000 sq ft warehouse in Kuala Lumpur serves as a distribution centre that delivers stock to all outlets, which are located in commercial blocks near residential areas (80%) or shopping malls (20%).

“We advise franchisees that it takes two to three years to recoup their investment. Depending on location, an outlet can take in sales between RM40,000 and RM250,000 a month,” said Izham.

He noted that though the Klang Valley crowd has the spending power, Tutti Frutti has been doing well in Batu Pahat, Kuantan, Penang, Ipoh, Sungai Petani, Johor Baru and Kuala Terengganu.

“Competition is not a concern as long as we maintain the quality of our products, provide good service and make ourselves relevant to market needs,” said Izham, who foresees froyo being a viable and not merely a trend.

“Our advertising and marketing campaign, focusing on brand awareness and customer loyalty, includes a radio campaign, loyalty and membership programme, and ongoing monthly promotions.”