KUCHING: A total of 37 companies registered for the AEON Malaysia Business Matching Programme 2026, with 28 participating in business matching sessions to showcase 159 Sarawak-made products directly to AEON Malaysia headquarters buyers.
The programme, organised by Nang Ori Academy in collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) Sarawak, AEON Malaysia and supported by the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber of Sarawak (DUBS) Kuching, was held at AEON Kuching Central.
“This programme is more than just a business matching session. It is a capacity-building initiative that equips entrepreneurs with essential retail knowledge and market readiness,” said Nang Ori Academy’s founder and programme organizer, Awaeang Kwasin, in a press statement on Thursday.
He said participants were guided on product costing, pricing strategies, documentation requirements, product pitching techniques, and retail standards necessary to enter modern retail chains such as AEON Malaysia.
A total of 159 stock keeping units (SKU) were presented during the sessions, allowing participating entrepreneurs to pitch their products directly to purchasing representatives from AEON Malaysia headquarters.
Awaeang said the initiative aimed to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing practical exposure and direct engagement with major retail buyers nationwide.
He subsequently highlighted the programme’s successful implementation in Sabah last May, where 75 companies registered and 22 participated in training and business matching sessions.
According to him, 17 Sabah companies successfully secured positions as AEON Malaysia suppliers, demonstrating the effectiveness of structured guidance and direct engagement with retail decision-makers.
He expressed confidence that the Sarawak programme would produce similar outcomes by helping more local entrepreneurs secure opportunities within AEON’s nationwide retail network.
Awaeang said Nang Ori Academy was established based on his experience as a local AEON vendor since the opening of AEON Kuching Central.
He added the academy was created to help entrepreneurs better understand industry requirements without enduring costly trial-and-error processes independently before entering competitive retail markets.
The programme also received strong support from an AEON Malaysia headquarters delegation led by Senior Division Manager, Norazreen Zaini, alongside senior merchandising representatives.
The closing ceremony was officiated by MINTRED Sarawak Entrepreneur Development Division Head, Zarifhadi Bujang, with AEON Sarawak management representatives and DUBS Kuching’s Chairman, Khairulnizam Mohamed Khalid, present.
Organisers believe the initiative will increase the presence of Sarawak-made products in AEON outlets nationwide while strengthening the competitiveness and long-term growth of local MSMEs.
They also hope the programme will create broader market access opportunities for Sarawak entrepreneurs, paving the way for greater participation in regional and international markets.
