Advertisement

SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) aims to increasing the number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) penetrating the international market to 145 next year from 125 in 2021.

There are local MSMEs that succeeded in exploring the international market and going abroad despite facing the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to SME Corp CEO Rizal Nainy.

“Companies that will be taken abroad are those involved in strategic industries,” he told a press conference after the opening ceremony of the Small and Medium Industries Development Expo (SMIDEX) 2021 yesterday.

Meanwhile, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said the intake of foreign workers to overcome the shortage of workers in MSME companies would depend on the success of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for foreign workers in the plantation sector.

He said the government has recently decided to grant special approval to bring in 32,000 foreign workers to ease the labour shortage in the plantation sector subject to strict compliance of SOPs imposed by the Ministry of Health.

“For next year, RM74 million was allocated for SME Corp to implement six programmes to help MSMEs start businesses and gain access to the international market.

“We will use internal funds to implement existing packages to help MSMEs make foray abroad,” he added.

SMIDEX 2021 event to be held until Dec 23 is themed ‘MSME: Revitalise!’ is organised to raise awareness and promote the products and services of local SMEs, foster an entrepreneurial culture and also as a platform to disseminate the latest information to SMEs.

There are various interesting activities available for SMEs such as e-exhibition which involves the participation of 150 virtual exhibitors countrywide as well as biz-talk sessions which are information sharing sessions by strategic partners, panel members on various topics. businesses such as financial management, digitisation, branding and business management.

Source: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2021/12/08/sme-corp-aims-145-msmes-to-go-global-next-year/