KUCHING: Some eight tonnes of Sarawak’s special rice was exported to Singapore recently through Antares Ventures Sdn Bhd.
Managing director of Antares Ventures Sdn Bhd, Brendan Kon, said the delivery was the largest order from Singapore, making it a historic moment for their company.
He mentioned that although they started exporting rice to Singapore in 2021, it had only involved small quantities.
“This is the first time we’ve received a large order from there, fulfilling a shipping container. Previously, there were orders, but the quantities were relatively small.
“Therefore, I hope to receive higher and larger orders in the future,” he said during a media briefing at Antares Ventures Sdn Bhd premises at Jalan Batu Kitang here today (Nov 15).
He said the Sarawak rice variety included the aromatic white and red rice sourced from Siburan, Padawan and Lundu; purple rice from Lubok Nibong, Betong; indigenous white and red rice from Bario, Miri; as well as white, black and red rice from Ba’kelalan, Long Semadoh.
Brandan added that the special Sarawak rice is also marketed in Peninsular Malaysia, involving all branches of supermarkets, including Jaya Grocer.
“We certainly have a local market, and it has been consistent until now. Among the supermarkets selling our products are Everrise, Ta Kiong, Lepapa, and others,” he added.
The assistance of Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) was instrumental in connecting Antares to the market, playing a crucial role in making this achievement possible.
STATOS, renowned for offering professional guidance to traders, investors and participants in the tourism sector, significantly aided Antares Ventures in entering the Singapore market.
Additionally, the company manufactures baby food tailored for ages six to 15 months, using rice from Ba’kelalan and Long Semado. Dry cereals designed for babies and children to prepare porridge are also part of their product range.
Antares Ventures and WWF Malaysia exchanged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to jointly promote and market highland rice from Ba’kelalan under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) paddy planting programme initiated by WWF Malaysia.
The partnership aims to contribute to the sustainability of paddy planting initiatives while creating awareness about the importance of traditional rice varieties.
