AirAsia launches pop-up shop at klia2 to promote ASEAN social enterprises

The philanthropic arm of AirAsia Group, AirAsia Foundation, has launch its first social enterprise pop-up shop at klia2 ahead of this year's holiday season. Named Destination: GOOD, the store retails thoughtfully selected social enterprise gift items from around the region.Opened as a joint collaboration with Malaysia Airports, Destination: GOOD pop-up at klia2 aims to create a unique shopping experience for travellers passing through the terminal."Reflecting klia2’s position as AirAsia’s home base and the airport serving the widest Asean network, Destination: GOOD carries over 200 products, sustainably produced by 25 Asean social enterprises. Selection includes organic produce, stationery, accessories and home décor that fund good causes," the airline said in a press release. Among homegrown social enterprises whose products are available at the store are Malaysian Unity of Cultures (MUOC), Bingka KL and Batik Boutique. From the rest of ASEAN region, the store features selections from Selaka Kotagede silversmiths from Indonesia, Rags2Riches artisans from the Philippines, Folkcharm weavers from Thailand and Zo Project paper-makers from Vietnam.AirAsia Foundation executive director, Yap Mun Ching (pictured third from right) said, “Since 2012, we have awarded 19 grants for social enterprises to expand their businesses. While doing this, we realised that many of them needed help to reach new markets. With this partnership with Malaysia Airports, we are able to provide the social enterprises with an international platform, while jointly marking ASEAN’s 50th anniversary in a meaningful way.”Datuk Badlisham Ghazali (pictured centre), managing director of Malaysia Airports added, “Destination: Good’s main objective of providing platforms for ASEAN social enterprises certainly resonates well with Malaysia Airports’ on several levels. We look at this collaboration as an extension of our CSR efforts to support enterprises from our neighbouring countries. This collaboration also marks yet another initiative by both the airlines and airport operator to improve total airport experience for our passengers.”