KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak-born restaurant brand KANTIN presented its approach to combining local food and cultural identity with business development at the Alliance Bank BizSmart Business Conference 2026, held in Kuala Lumpur on 6 October.
Founder Carmen Toh represented the brand at the conference, which brought together Malaysian business leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss brand development, business expansion and the challenges of taking homegrown enterprises into wider markets.
KANTIN was the only Sarawak brand invited to share its business journey at the event, according to the information provided by the organisers.
The third edition of the conference took place at W Kuala Lumpur under the theme “From Local Champions to National Icons”.
The sold-out event attracted more than 900 entrepreneurs, business leaders and ecosystem partners, with 32 speakers and moderators participating in discussions on business growth and market opportunities.
Organised by Alliance Bank, the conference examined how Malaysian businesses can strengthen their market positions, access resources and develop partnerships to support expansion.
Discussions also considered the financial planning and cross-border networks that businesses may need when moving beyond their original markets.
Toh joined Emir Fauzi of Bayu Somerset and Wan Cheng Huat of MinNature Malaysia for a panel discussion titled “Exporting the Malaysian DNA: Commercial Oxygen or Cultural Preservation?” The session examined how businesses can introduce Malaysian cultural identity to new audiences while balancing commercial objectives with the preservation of their heritage.
Drawing on examples from food, fashion and cultural experiences, the panellists discussed the opportunities and challenges involved in turning distinctive local traditions into commercially viable products and services.
The discussion focused on how businesses can retain the characteristics that distinguish their offerings while adapting to the expectations of customers in different markets.
For KANTIN, this approach centres on presenting Sarawak flavours and Borneo-inspired dining to audiences beyond the state.
The brand’s presence at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore represents an expansion beyond its Kuching roots and provides an example of how a regional food concept can enter an international retail and dining environment.
The brand has also attracted interest in potential expansion into markets including Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Australia.
These markets were identified as areas of interest, although no confirmed expansion plans or timelines were provided in the material supplied.
Toh’s contribution to the panel explored the relationship between cultural storytelling, brand development and commercial opportunity.
For businesses built around regional food and heritage, customer interest must be supported by consistent product quality, a recognisable identity and an operating model capable of sustaining growth.
Maintaining cultural authenticity while expanding can involve decisions about how products are presented, how customers experience a brand and how local influences are communicated to people unfamiliar with their origins.
Businesses must also ensure that demand translates into sustainable revenue and supports the resources and people involved in delivering their products and services.
Toh’s professional background spans journalism, media and the creative industry. She also founded Sarawak Eye and FWS Creative Agency, experiences that have informed her work in developing local stories and creative concepts for wider audiences.
The conference provided a national platform for KANTIN to discuss how Sarawak’s food and cultural identity can contribute to business differentiation.
Its participation also brought a regional perspective to broader discussions about entrepreneurship, brand development and the challenges faced by businesses seeking to enter new markets.
As Malaysian enterprises explore opportunities beyond their home regions, the relationship between cultural identity and commercial growth remains an important consideration for businesses built around local products and experiences.
KANTIN’s participation highlighted one approach to that challenge, using Sarawak’s culinary heritage as the basis for a brand seeking to reach customers beyond its place of origin. â Sarawak Daily
