Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs to Represent Malaysia in FedEx International Trade Challenge

Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs to Represent Malaysia in FedEx International Trade Challenge

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, together with Junior Achievement (JA), recently announced the six winners of the FedEx Express / Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx / JA ITC) Malaysian Selections 2018. The winners will advance to the FedEx / JA ITC Regional Finals to be held in Singapore from August 12 to 16, 2018.

This year, ten teams were shortlisted to present their ideas for a food product to be sold in Japan. They were tasked to present their product’s unique value proposition, pricing strategies, marketing plans, market entry options, and sales and distribution channels. The students were also given the opportunity to experience being in a corporate setting, as they presented their business ideas to a distinguished panel of judges that included SC Chong, Managing Director of FedEx Express Malaysia; Christy Ng, Chief Executive Officer of ChristyNg.Com; Tan Lin Nah, Chief Operating Officer of INTI International University & Colleges and Kalai Ponniah, Assistant Vice President for Malaysia Operations of Upper Iowa University.

This year’s three winning teams are:

  • Team Kooleme: Leong Yiq Zhenn and Poi Shie Xian from SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 3, reimagined the popular Japanese rice cake, mochis, into a healthy, high energy, high fibre alternative to power snacks and energy drinks, named “Monkey Wrench” which features bananas as the main ingredient for the filling.
  • Team Unbeatable: Teng Zhen Fa and Lucius Khor Zhe Yi from SMK Seafield, developed a self-heating “Hot Box” for Chinese traditional tea rice. The reusable hotbox offers an eco-friendly, and portable way for commuters to re-heat food while the tea rice ingredients, inspired by Hakka Lei Cha, were specially chosen for benefits in reducing risk of stomach cancer.
  • Team Oishi Fascination: Richelle Yucian Khor and Ng E-Shuen from SMK Seafield, developed an all-in-one instant (Bak Kut Teh) soup pack, “Kantan’na Niku”, complete with vegetables, meat and other side dishes for a complete balanced meal for 2-4 people in under 3 minutes.

The six winning students will represent Malaysia in a competition at the Regional Finals in Singapore from August 12 to 16, 2018 with 54 counterparts from nine other Asia Pacific markets, namely Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. These students were chosen for the thoroughness of their market research and market entry plans, as well as their creativity and entrepreneurial skills in presenting their ideas and in entering a new market. To further promote cross-border collaboration, finalists will not be competing in the same groups but will instead go through a random shuffle to form new teams consisting of participants from different countries.

“For 11 years, this program has seen over 5,000 Malaysian students share ideas that highlight a deep understanding of business and international trade. These students represent the future generation and we are proud to be able to nurture our future entrepreneurs. The regional finals in Singapore will be even more enriching for them,” said SC Chong, Managing Director, FedEx Express Malaysia.

“We are proud to be part of the FedEx / JA ITC program, it is not often that students have the opportunity to venture into the world of entrepreneurship and international business. As the judges mentioned, all students are already winners for making it this far. It is gratifying to know that their hard work and creativity shone through in their presentations and were able to have real-world experience in a corporate environment. I look forward to the Regional Finals to witness our Malaysian youths together with students across the Asia Pacific region,” said Ng Poh Choo, Teacher from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seafield who mentored the two winning teams.

Participating students were prepared for the challenge via a series of intensive workshops held earlier in April, where students were educated on the facets of entrepreneurship and international trade by a team of trainers. In addition, FedEx volunteers provided mentorship to the students by sharing their knowledge and real-life experiences as well as guiding them through the development of their product ideas and plans during the workshops.