The micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) Hub will be established in Sabah and Sarawak next year to provide entrepreneurs in both states with better access to business information.
The Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said that the hub – under SME Corporation Malaysia’s (SME Corp) supervision would serve as a one-stop centre for MSMEs to access essential business information.
“This includes information on starting a business, accessing markets, human capital development, securing financial resources and learning best practices in business.
According to Ewon, the hub will be complementing the existing MSME Hub in the Peninsula.
The programme, themed ‘KUSKOP dan Agensi Memperkasakan PMKS’, featured briefings on topic such as MSME Status and SCORE Implementation by SME Corp, Entrepreneurship Training and Guidance by Institut Keusahawanan Negara Bhd (INSKEN), and Business Transformation by Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (PERNAS).
“An advisory and networking session by Bank Rakyat titled ‘Bank Rakyat Memacu Pemerkasaan dan Kelestarian Usahawan MADANI’ and a joint financing session with OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd were also held at the programme,” Ewon said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that the Bumiputera entrepreneurial community should not be restricted only to companies in Peninsular Malaysia.
He made the remarks following the announcement by the Bumiputera Business Excellence Awards (BBEA) 2024 chairman, Datuk Dr Muhamad Iqbal Mohamad who stated that the BBEA 2025 will be expanded to include the business communities in Sabah and Sarawak.
Fadillah said that this move marks a significant development in the mission of the BBEA to identify and also recognise businesses based in Sabah and Sarawak.
“I am pleased to see this initiative because it highlights our commitment to advocating for inclusivity and also appreciating the contributions of companies across the country in empowering Malaysia’s economy,” he said.
Fadillah emphasised that the contributions of Bumiputera businesses to Malaysia’s economy are undeniable.
“In 2023, Bumiputera-owned companies played an important role in leading developments in sectors such as construction, services and manufacturing,” he added.
Fadillah also highlighted that Bumiputera companies have also achieved remarkable success in increasing exports with local products and services in ASEAN, China and the Middle East.
