MakeITwork’ is the first reality TV series of its kind in Malaysia designed to help local SMEs realise the potential of using IT in their businesses. Launched by Y.B. Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry on 25 November 2009, the series is a collaborative effort by Microsoft, HP and DiGi, supported by MITI and SME Corp.   ‘MakeITwork’ features ten recent business make-over projects involving promising local SMEs, who are provided funds for their IT facilities and guidance in formulating comprehensive business plans. It also showcases how Malaysian SMEs could leverage on the most current and advanced technology solutions available today. This will assist SMEs to realise technology’s role as a business enabler in achieving increased productivity and managing costs more efficiently.   This reality TV series provides SMEs with:   • better understanding of how technology can benefit their businesses; • avenue to acquire technology...

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) — Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can become multi-national companies (MNCs) in the future if they implement the right strategies to brand their products and services, according to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). “With good and proper branding, SMEs can penetrate the market and compete with large players in the industry,” Matrade senior director exporters development division Datuk Dzukifli Mahmud said at the soft launch today of the Brand Entrepreneurs Conference 2013 to be held here on Aug 29. The event is a collaboration between Matrade and the Branding Association of Malaysia. Its president Datuk Eric Chong said: “There event will also include a trade-matching session where local companies can build tangible business relationships after the event.” Besides local participants, there will also be participants from Asean, the Middle East, New Zealand and Africa. Speakers will include Eversendai Corp...

Sesi padanan perniagaan dalam program SME Smart Partnership yang berlangsung selama dua hari bermula semalam disasarkan mampu menjana sehingga 800 kontrak perniagaan, membabitkan 650 syarikat dalam pelbagai sektor. Program dua hari itu antara inisiatif memperkasa ekonomi Bumiputera, seperti yang diumumkan dalam Majlis Pemerkasaan Ekonomi Bumiputera tahun lalu. Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Ir Hamim Samuri, berkata program membabitkan kerjasama Bank SME itu mampu mewujudkan peluang perniagaan besar bagi pasaran tempatan dan antarabangsa. Kerjasama dengan Bank SME, mengukuhkan rantaian ini, serentak dengan proses padanan perniagaan yang turut membabitkan konglomerat terkemuka. “Seperti program ini, kita ada pembeli antarabangsa iaitu sebuah syarikat yang berpangkalan di Vietnam. “Ini saya lihat agak luar biasa dan ia memberi ruang untuk PKS kita mengembangkan sayap ke luar negara,” katanya pada sidang media selepas melancarkan Program SME...

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) — All small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should take advantage of the RM11.4 billion in government incentives earmarked for their development in 2015, says Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. The recent Budget 2015 also outlined several measures to further facilitate the SME development and strengthen their long term competitiveness, he added. “Take advantage of this incentive to expand your businesses. In doing so, you will be able to further contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth,” he said in his speech, before presenting the Enterprise 50 Awards, here Friday. The Enterprise 50 is an annual awards programme organised by SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) and Deloitte Malaysia, with other supporting sponsorships, to recognise the achievements of Malaysia’s enterprising SMEs. Mustapa said 2015 will also mark a very important milestone for Malaysia and its SME community as the Asean...

KOTA BAHARU, Nov 16 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s 643,000 small medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs have been urged to work towards penetrating the Asean market next year. Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad in making this call said they should take full advantage of Malaysia assuming the chairmanship of Asean in 2015 to more actively market their products in the region. He also cautioned that if they failed to do so, they would lose out on an excellent opportunity to enhance their business and quality of life. “SME entrepreneurs must break into the Asean market as the domestic scenario is too small with just 30 million people. But Asean has a 620 million population and imagine if, we can just sell soya or chilli sauce or fish crackers (keropok). “By breaking into foreign markets, their business will surely grow,” he added. Mustapa told reporters this after officiating the Kelantan Halal Products Transformation Programme 2015 here...

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Bernama) — The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has targeted to increase the small and medium enterprise (SME) market growth from 6.3 to 9.3 per cent under the SME Master Plan 2012-2020. Its minister, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the SME Master Plan 2012-2020 was aimed at contributing at least 41 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2020 from 33 per cent at present. He said the government would continue to expand financing options for SMEs by providing special funds and schemes either directly or through Bank Negara Malaysia. “I must stress that SMEs should strengthen their management skills, financial and learning capacities, and fully utilise the support given by the government,” he said at the launch of 27th Asian Credit Supplementation Institution Confederation (ACSIC) Conference 2014 from Nov 16 to 21 here Monday. His speech was read by MITI secretary-general Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria. Mustapa said under...

Kerajaan merancang untuk memperluaskan perniagaan melalui dalam talian (online) kepada seluruh usahawan Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) tempatan kerana itu adalah pendekatan terbaik memasarkan produk ke seluruh negara ASEAN. Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed berkata, kementerian telah berbincang dengan SME Corp. dan Bank Negara bagi merangka pelan untuk tujuan tersebut. Menurutnya, paling penting, usahawan PKS perlu merebut peluang melibatkan diri menjalankan perniagaan melalui dalam talian kerana perniagaan itu adalah peluang terbaik untuk memasarkan produk yang dapat menembusi pasaran di negara-negara ASEAN. “Pihak kementerian, SME Corp. dan Bank Negara telah berbincang kelmarin di samping merangka pelan khusus untuk membantu usahawan PKS memasarkan produk mereka ke negara ASEAN dan kaedah terbaik kita lihat adalah melalui perniagaan dalam talian. “Justeru, mulai tahun hadapan, kementerian akan memperluaskan perniagaan melalui...