9 January 2010

The plan to restructure and rationalise 18 agencies under SME Corp Malaysia this year reflects the government's seriousness in helping the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) grow.

Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, said the government's sincerity was also reflected in the allocation of RM7 billion under the Budget 2010 last year.

"Various programmes have been organised to improve the competitiveness of the SMEs and this shows that the government is serious in helping the SME entrepreneurs to improve themselves," he said.

Mukhriz said this to reporters after launching the Festival of Malay Entrepreneurs, South Zone, organised by Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia here on Saturday.

He said the involvement of Bumiputeras in the small and medium enterprises, especially in the halal food sector, was encouraging.

The halal food sector worldwide was huge and was worth RM7.4 trillion two years ago, he said.

"There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world in 2008 and they offer a good opportunity to tap the halal food sector," he said.

-- BERNAMA