PETALING JAYA: Gamuda Land, Lazada and MDEC had joint forces to promote local brands and products in Merdeka-themed bazaar.

The ‘Merdeka Day & Malaysia Day Quayside Fiesta' recently took place at Gamuda Land’s twentyfive.7 township in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, where hundreds of modern and traditional Malaysian creations ranging from foods and handicrafts to apparel and home and living were on display at the Lazada Bazaar.

The marketplace bazaar was held with the support of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

Hundreds of visitors flocked to visit the 25 retail pop-up stalls featuring selected vendors such as MaryamBayam, Hanalluna, and Pentec Online.

Customers were able to buy products by scanning QR Code at the sellers’ stores with the added convenience of having the products delivered to their front door.

“Thanks to our partners GAMUDA LAND and MDEC, we were able to bring the curated, personalised shopping experience of LAZADA to visitors of the Merdeka Day & Malaysia Day Quayside Fiesta. We wanted to show how people from different walks of life can come together and utilise e-commerce to improve the lives of not only their customers but also themselves,” said Lazada Malaysia chief executive officer Christophe Lejeune.

Meanwhile, Gamuda Land has also taken the opportunity to invite its loyal customers through the GL Friends program to join in the fun.

“To keep our community connected, GAMUDA LAND has recently launched GL Friends, our loyalty program for our customers, where they can enjoy added rewards, benefits and privileges. We hope such events will continue to foster closer community living at twentyfive.7,” said Gamuda Land general manager of twentyfive.7 Chu Wai Lune.

The bazaar also had on sale several handicrafts made by inmates of Kajang prison, following an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed by Lazada Malaysia and MyPride Penjara.

MyPride Penjara is an initiative by the Malaysia Prisons Department to provide opportunities for marginalised communities to build vocational and entrepreneurial skills while providing meaningful consumption at all levels. The partnership will also see MyPride Penjara handicrafts being sold online.

“An important objective for the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) that will help take Malaysia's digital economy to a higher level, is helping Malaysian sellers to open their stores online," said Sumitra Nair, VP of Talent and Digital Entrepreneur at MDEC.

According to Malaysian Prisons Department senior assistant commissionerHaji Wan Ramzan bin Wan Ahmad, e-commerce platforms allows marginalised communities to develop and sell their wares online from anywhere in the world – even from their own home.

He said My Pride participants could obtain a legal source of income that restores dignity and meaning to their lives.

Lazada will also conduct an e-Commerce Seller Conference in Malaysia next month for those who want to learn more about entrepreneurship and enhance their skills with the right knowledge tools and latest digital marketing insights. The conference will be held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on Sep 25 and 26 (Tuesday and Wednesday).