Photo Courtesy of Melaka Hari Ini

The Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (SAMENTA) is fortifying its presence in the central region with the official unveiling of SAMENTA Melaka on 3 July.

SAMENTA Melaka was inaugurated by the state’s senior exco for investment, industry and entrepreneurship, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Present to witness the occasion was the Deputy CEO of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Abu Bakar Yusof, Director of Malaysia Productivity Corporation Dr Mohd Norjayadi Tamam, Director of SME Corp. Malaysia – Melaka Noor Azzam, Director of MIDA Melaka Jaibalan Harirajan and senior director of planning of MATRADE Dato’ Aureen Noris.

Presidents, chairmen and committee members from MCCC, DPMM and other associations and chambers were also in attendance at the event, held at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Melaka.

Ab Rauf said the state government would continue to support the state’s SMEs to move forward while facing the challenges of digital mastery and the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

He said incentives such as grants for SME digitization and smart automation and matching grants to accelerate digital transformation as well as assistance for new companies to better navigate the world of trade and business would be continued.

“In a way to support all SMEs in the state, Melaka will bring in more investors to invest in Melaka. SMEs under SAMENTA Melaka will play a big role in helping all these investors later,” Ab Rauf said.

SAMENTA Central chairman Datuk William Ng expressed gratitude to  Ab Rauf for officiating the inauguration of SAMENTA Melaka. He also congratulated Datuk Vong Woon Chin who has been appointed as the chairman of SAMENTA Melaka.

“Our gratitude also goes to all sponsors especially Affin Bank Group for being part of this occasion,” said Ng. “I hope the new committee will continue to champion the plight of SMEs in Melaka and help them recover and thrive post-pandemic.”

Vong noted in his speech that the main purpose of SAMENTA Melaka state is to address the pain points faced by SME owners in this state.

With the international business network already available, SAMENTA Melaka also hopes to be able to help entrepreneurs to expand the market for their products and services to the international market through marketing promotion programs that will be held in due course.

According to the latest data, the value of investments approved by MIDA for the state of Melaka in 2020 amounted to RM1.96 billion. This included local investments of RM684 million and foreign investments worth RM1.27 billion. In terms of contribution to Melaka’s GDP, the Services and Manufacturing sectors dominated with 48.0 percent and 38.4 percent, respectively.

“As we know, the Melaka state government continuously encourages investment by foreign and local investors in the state, thereby creating more new employment opportunities. With an annual investment target of RM5 billion, the SME community in Melaka will be able to benefit from the rapid economic growth in the state,” said Vong.

“With the rapid growth of the industrial and service sector in the state, we are of the view that it is necessary to create an organisation that can help safeguard the interests of SMEs in Melaka in order to ensure the stability of growth of this segment which is one of the most important elements in helping economic growth of the country.”

Apart from assisting SMEs, Vong said SAMENTA Melaka aims to be a liaison bridge between the SMEs and the government. “We look forward to working closely with the State government for the formulation of better policies that benefit SMEs.”

To date, SAMENTA Melaka has attracted the participation of about 100 members from various industries and service sectors. Apart from the chairman, SAMENTA Melaka has appointed 16 exco members.

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