KUALA LUMPUR: The government is reviewing its guidelines for foreign food and beverage (F&B) brands, a deputy minister said today following an MP’s concern that the expansion of chains such as Mixue, Chagee and Auntea Jenny could threaten the survival of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Deputy domestic trade and cost of living minister Fuziah Salleh said her ministry was seeking to balance free market principles, fair competition and consumer protection, and ensure that local industries are not sidelined.
“The challenge is ensuring that competition remains fair and local industries are protected in a free market economy,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat today.