Thursday, March 29, 2012

Kontena eyes PUNB's SMEs business

Source From (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/334353

Published: on 29 March 2012
PREMALATHA JAYARAMAN
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR (March 28, 2012): Kontena Nasional Bhd, which expects a revenue growth of between 15% and 18% in 2012, wants to provide logistics services mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB).

CEO Hood Osman said the company is in talks with PUNB to provide the services like logistics product management and inventory, and is also compiling the data and analysing the later’s beneficiaries’ need.

“We had a few sessions with them (PUNB). We hope to come up with a product that PUNB and its beneficiaries will be able to take us into their consideration. We will be presenting to them in two weeks’ time. Hopefully, it materialise by May.

“PUNB’s beneficiaries are involved in variety of businesses.

"We can feature or tailor-made services at a more competitive rate. Providing quality services is essential in order to be a successful logistics player,” he said at a media luncheon on Wednesday.

On its outlook this year, Hood said it will be driven by organic growth and new businesses with the haulage segment continued to be the main contributor, followed by international freight forwarding, distribution, supply chain solutions, cold chain solutions and Halal logistics.

Hood said the new businesses created last year such as warehousing and trucking are on an upward trend and will contribute to its growth.

The company will announce its 2011 financial results next week.

Hood said the company expects the haulage segment to contribute between RM80 million and RM90 million in revenue this year, trucking services RM25 million, warehousing RM25 million, freight forwarding sales between RM30 million and RM35 million.

Kontena Nasional upbeat on growth

Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/KN28/Article/

Published: on 29 March 2012
By Cheryl Yvonne Achu

KUALA LUMPUR: Kontena Nasional Bhd, a container haulier and logistics services provider, expects turnover to grow up to 18 per cent this year.

Its chief executive officer (CEO) Hood Osman said the company is the largest container haulier in the country and will grow to become the largest total logistics services provider.

"We aim to achieve 15 to 18 per cent growth in revenue," he said, noting that the targeted growth will mainly be driven organically and by new businesses.

In 2010, Kontena Nasional recorded a turnover of RM203 million.

Speaking at a media luncheon here yesterday, Hood said the company is currently in talks withPerbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) on products that PUNB and its beneficiaries would be able to use.

"We are currently compiling data and analysing them, in regard to PUNB's requirement, and hope that the collaboration will begin by May," he said.

This year, Hood said, Kontena Nasional expects its haulage and subsidiaries' businesses to maintain a contribution of about RM80 million to RM90 million to the group's revenue.

On redevelopment and rebranding, he said the company aims to get more involved with retailers to help make its brand a household name.

Kontena Nasional's regional expansion would help strengthen Malaysia's quest to become a regional logistics hub, be it in the halal logistics or conventional business, he added

Currently, it has an extensive fleet of 500 prime movers, 2,400 trailers, 17 branches, 19 warehouses and a workforce of 1,500 employees.

Kontena Nasional is a unit of Permodalan Nasional Bhd.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

39 SMEs make their mark

Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/27MARK/Article/

Published: on 28 March 2012
By June Ramlee

A TOTAL of 39 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been certified with the National Mark of Malaysian Brand since the brand recognition was introduced three years ago.

These companies have been rated three-star and above by SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) in its SME Competitive Rating for Enhancement programme.

 "The National Mark of Malaysian brand is a trustmark initiated by the government through the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and SME Corp as a recognition to Malaysian products and services of the highest quality, excellence and distinction.

 "We intend to make Malaysian brand products and services to be the preferred choice of both international and domestic customers," said SME Corp chairman Datuk Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid at a media conference yesterday.

To further ensure that the certification is done in a professional manner, SME Corp had collaborated with Sirim Qas International Sdn Bhd, a standards certification body.

SME Corp chief executive Datuk Hafsah Hashim said the purpose of having the recognition is to ensure people's perception that Malaysian SME products and services are of high quality.

"We trademark their brand in 12 countries and at the same time give them various incentives," she said.

 To date, SME Corp has received a total of 85 applications, of which 39 have been given the brand recognition.

Hafsah said more companies will be certified with the brand recognition this year.

Companies with the National Mark logo will have easier access to Brand Promotion Grant. They will also be automatically invited to participate in Malaysia External Trade Development Corp trade missions overseas

39 syarikat Jenama Malaysia

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/39syarikatJenamaMalaysia/Article/index_html

Published: on 28 March 2012

SEBANYAK 39 syarikat mendapat pensijilan Tanda Kebangsaan Jenama Malaysia (Jenama Malaysia) dibangunkan Perbadanan Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (SME Corp) bersama Sirim Qas International Sdn Bhd sejak ia diperkenalkan tiga tahun lalu.
Pengerusi SME Corp, Datuk Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid berkata, pensijilan itu diberikan kepada syarikat berkenaan selepas melalui proses pengawasan dan audit yang ketat untuk memastikan pematuhan kepada standard kualiti ditetapkan.

“Melalui pensijilan dan pengiktirafan ini, penerima Jenama Malaysia dianggap sebagai sebagai wakil kami dan duta jenama Malaysia, malah benar-benar menjadi juara tempatan,” katanya pada sesi rangkaian bersama penerima Jenama Malaysia dan agensi berkaitan di Putrajaya, semalam.
Hadir sama, Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif SME Corp, Datuk Hafsah Hashim.

Jenama Malaysia menggambarkan kualiti, kecemerlangan serta perbezaan produk dan perkhidmatan oleh syarikat tempatan, sekali gus mampu mengubah persepsi terhadap produk dikeluarkan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS).

Mohamed Al Amin berkata, syarikat yang ingin mendapatkan pensijilan itu disyaratkan memperolehi kadar minimum tiga bintang melalui Program Penambahbaikan Penarafan Kompetitif PKS (Score).

20 syarikat Malaysia Brand

Source From (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0328&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Ekonomi&pg=ek_03.htm

Published: on 28 March 2012
Oleh NAZMIL NASIRUDDIN



Ir. Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid (dua dari kiri) 
bersama pengurusan kanan SME Corp. pada sidang 
media sempena sesi rangkaian penerima Malaysia 
Brand di Cruise Tasik, Putrajaya, semalam. 
- UTUSAN/HANAFI KHAMIS 


PUTRAJAYA 27 Mac - Sebanyak 20 lagi syarikat tempatan dijangka menerima pensijilan National Mark of Malaysia Brand (Malaysia Brand) hujung tahun ini, kata Pengerusi SME Corporation Malaysia Bhd. (SME Corp), Datuk Ir. Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid.

Beliau berkata, jumlah permohonan yang telah diterima selama ini ialah 85 syarikat tempatan dan 39 daripadanya telah diluluskan SME Corp. sementara dua lagi akan menyusul tidak lama lagi.

"Kami masih lagi mengaudit permohonan yang lain, dan menggesa lebih banyak syarikat tempatan mendapatkan hak logo itu bagi mendapatkan pelbagai manfaat," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita semasa sesi suai kenal perniagaan bersama penerima pengiktirafan logo Jenama Malaysia di Cruise Tasik Putrajaya di sini, hari ini.

SME Corp. telah memperkenalkan pensijilan Malaysia Brand pada 2 Mac 2009 sempena penganjuran Persidangan Jenama Usahawan (BEC) 2009.

Program itu dirangka untuk menghapuskan persepsi masyarakat bahawa produk perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berkualiti rendah, tidak boleh dipercayai dan piawaian pembungkusan tidak setanding dengan jenama-jenama besar.

Mohamed Al Amin berkata, semua syarikat yang sudah menerima penarafan itu bakal menerima pelbagai faedah termasuklah peluang menikmati subsidi sebanyak 50 peratus atau RM3,000 daripada SME Corp. bagi menampung kos proses penarafan.

Beliau berkata, bantuan kewangan sehingga RM100,000 akan diberi untuk membiayai kos pemasaran, pengiklanan, pembungkusan produk dan promosi dalam tempoh dua tahun selepas syarikat terbabit diiktiraf.
"Langkah ini selari dengan matlamat kerajaan yang menyasarkan lebih 150 PKS memperoleh penarafan Malaysia Brand menjelang 2015 dalam usaha melahirkan lebih banyak jenama tempatan yang mampu menembusi pasaran global," katanya.

Mengulas lanjut, beliau berkata, SME Corp. turut memperkenalkan Persijilan Inovasi bagi Penarafan Enterpris dan Program Transformasi (1-InnoCERT) untuk membantu mengenal pasti dan memperakukan penglibatan PKS tempatan.

"1-InnoCERT akan menilai keupayaan organisasi dalam inovasi, penghasilan, mengkomersialkan produk, keupayaan pengurusan merancang dan bertindak balas kepada perubahan dan inovasi," ujar beliau.

Bae Systems rapatkan jurang malaysia-uk

Source From (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0328&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Korporat&pg=ko_02.htm

Published: on 28 March 2012



PESAWAT Eurofighter Typhoon keluaran BAE 
Systems melintasi ruang udara Malaysia. - Gambar hiasan 


KUALA LUMPUR 27 Mac - BAE Systems yang telah mewujudkan hubungan rapat dengan Malaysia dan ekoran rantaian kejayaan kerjasamanya di pasaran United Kingdom (UK), telah berminat untuk merapatkan jurang perindustrian antara kedua-dua negara.

Minggu lepas, syarikat pertahanan, keselamatan dan aeroangkasa, bersama-sama dengan Pertubuhan Perdagangan dan Pertahanan Pelaburan dan Keselamatan UK (UKTI DSO), menganjurkan program untuk mendedahkan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) UK kepada peluang-peluang di Malaysia.

Acara di London yang diadakan pada hari Jumaat telah disokong oleh badan-badan utama Malaysia termasuk Lembaga Pembangunan Pelaburan Malaysia (MIDA), SME Corporation, Perbadanan Pembangunan Pelaburan Luar Malaysia (MATRADE) dan Kementerian Pertahanan (MINDEF).

Dalam kenyataan bersama hari ini, BAE Systems dan UKTI DSO berkata, peluang perniagaan dan acara perangkaian ini telah mendapat sambutan menggalakkan daripada semua syarikat yang menyertai.

"Tujuan acara ini ialah untuk PKS UK belajar mengenai peluang untuk meninjau dan membangunkan kerjasama bagi manfaat bersama dengan rakan kongsi Malaysia di seluruh industri termasuk aeroangkasa dan teknologi mewah," kata mereka.

Pengarah Pembangunan Perniagaan Kumpulan BAE Systems, Alan Garwood berkata, syarikat mempunyai sejarah panjang di Malaysia dan BAE Systems mengiktiraf potensi negara dan akan meneruskan strategi perindustriannya untuk menjalin hubungan kukuh dan mampan dengan industri pertahanan Malaysia. - Bernama

Monday, March 26, 2012

A transformational journey

Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/25TRANSFORM/Article/

Published: on 26 March 2012

LAST week marked the seventh year I took the helm at SME Corp from my predecessor. It seems just like yesterday that the baton was passed to me from Datuk Mangsor Saad. The journey from 2005 till today - from Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (Smidec) to SME Corp - was not always smooth sailing. But it was through the turbulence and stormy weather that made us what we are today. I couldn't agree more with the Greek proverb, "You know who the good seamen are when the storm comes".

It all began on May 2 1996, when Smidec was born. The agency was established to spur the development of small and medium industries (SMIs) through the provision of financial assistance, advisory services, market access and other support programmes, very much concentrated on companies in the manufacturing sector.

Realising the need to encapsulate the services and the agricultural sector into the overall SME community, a new chapter was launched in 2004 when the highest policy-making body for SME development - the National SME Development Council (NSDC) - was established. The council, chaired by the prime minister himself, formulated strategies for SME development across all economic sectors and to ensure effective implementation of SME development programmes in Malaysia.

Smidec came in the limelight in 2007 when it was given the mandate to assume the secretariat role to NSDC. It was indeed a huge responsibility that I had to carry. Nevertheless, with the support of good "seamen", we managed to sail through the stormy weather and reached the shore safely. On October 2 2009, Smidec created a history when we were chosen to be the SME Central Coordinating Agency and re-branded as the Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp Malaysia). Today, SME Corp oversees the overall development of SMEs across various ministeries and agencies and acts as the central point of reference for information and advisory services for all SMEs in Malaysia.
Over the years, I have been very much overwhelmed with the progress made by our SMEs. I take pride in seeing them succeed over the years. As an organisation, l also notice that we too grew with them. From an agency that was previously famous for grants, we took a bold step in introducing various capacity building and entrepreneurship programmes through Business Accelerator and Enrichment and Enhancement Programmes, addressing what the enterprises need rather than what they want.

Creating SMEs from "zero" to "heroes" gives us a lot of satisfaction, and this is what I expect to see more in the years to come. Noting the fact that we can't benchmark our SMEs against other SMEs around the world by just looking at the products and profits they make, a diagnostic tool to measure the performance of SMEs was introduced in 2007. This diagnostic tool, called SME Competitiveness Rating For Enhancement (SCORE), is developed in-house by our very own "SME Corpians". Now, SCORE is well accepted by the industry, locally and internationally. It not only facilitates SME Corp to provide the right prescriptive advice and assistance, but also helps in optimal use of government funds for the right purpose. I also found that productivity among our officers are higher as they are more focused in their work since the process tasks are more structured and organised.

As we plod along, we realised that inculcation of entrepreneurial skills must start at an early stage, as the saying goes "strike the iron while it's hot". The SME-University Internship Programme, created in 2008, was designed to help university students acquire essential entrepreneurial skills to start their own enterprises upon leaving full-time education. Through this programme, participating students assist SMEs in improving their business performance and processes. Believe me, some of the entrepreneurial ideas are really awesome and mind-blowing!

In 2009, SME Corp gave birth to yet another programme, called the National Mark of Malaysian Brand. This is implemented in collaboration with Sirim QAS International Sdn Bhd. SME products and services that secure the National Mark are deemed to be Malaysia's highest quality products and services.

Through this programme, we hope to change public perception that SME products and services are of lower quality, unreliable and unattractive when placed beside the big brandnames. Recognising the importance of branding in our daily lives, we started the branding culture in SME Corp itself. Hence, each and every one of us, including myself, proudly wears our corporate shirt every Wednesday.

It was in 2009 too that our very own pool of Business Counsellors (BCs) was created. The first batch of 57 SME Corp officers was trained by industrial experts from Japan to provide advisory services to local SMEs. The BCs are ready to help SMEs at our premises in KL Sentral. We are currently training 120 more to become BCs.

As we move along, innovation and technology then became the "talk of town". SMEs do not have any other option but to embrace the innovation culture in staying ahead of the competition. The year 2010 saw SME Corp, with the support from Sirim Bhd and MIGHT, introducing the Certification for Enterprise Rating & Transformation programme (1-InnoCERT). 1-InnoCERT identifies and certifies the most innovative SMEs in Malaysia. I must say, since its inception, SMEs are gradually unlocking and unleashing the power of innovation that lies within the company! These are the companies that chart high growth and will significantly contribute towards Malaysia's aspiration to become a high income economy.

In this context, I have always been impressed with the combination of innovation and high-technology products produced by Japanese SMEs. I strongly believe that the success of the SMEs in Japan is contributed by the Japan government's strong support, particularly in terms of continuously educating the SMEs. I am truly amazed at its SME universities that are available througout the country. Their mission is to train SMEs to be skilful in management, leadership, marketing, and other business skills in order to prepare entrepreneurs for greater challenges. In October 2010, when I visited the SME University of Tokyo, I decided to adopt and adapt the module and implement it in Malaysia to provide an avenue for SME owners of various backgrounds to learn, communicate and exchange their ideas of doing business in a university environment.

In June 2011, we started the "SME@University" programme, as a pilot project at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. To date, 21 SMEs have completed the programme. Another four universities are in the midst of implementing this programme this year. It has always been my aspiration that Malaysian SMEs would one day come up to the standard of the Japanese SMEs.

It has indeed been a transformational journey for me with SMIDEC/SME Corp Malaysia. The path took us through many ups and downs from 2005 to 2012. l remembered Stephen R. Covey once said about time - "The key is in not spending time, but in investing it". We did only a little yesterday and are definitely looking forward to a better tomorrow as we aspire to create a competitive, resilient and innovative SME population.

Datuk Hafsah Hashim is the chief executive officer of Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp Malaysia)

Orchan's Chocolate Box PR a cost-effective option

Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/SME26/Article/index_html

Published: on 26 March 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often feel that getting media coverage is out of their reach, but this should not be the case.

Strategic application of public relations (PR) is one of the least expensive and most effective ways SMEs can get exposure to and, thus, grow their business.

PR is just as important for SMEs as it is for large corporations. It is typically a mix of social media, community participation, public speaking opportunities, by-lined articles or media commentary, and long-term relationships with reporters. This would lead to print, broadcasting and online coverage.

 PR can be executed on a modest budget, according to Orchan Consulting Asia Sdn Bhd.

There are dozens of inexpensive PR tactics and resources that SMEs can leverage on to great effect. This is where Orchan comes into the picture.

The firm has introduced its PR concept package, Chocolate Box PR, which is designed as an introduction and starting point for entrepreneurs.

 "We are about orchestrating change, and we hope that this will spark a positive change for all of our clients who choose their very own customised Chocolate Box PR, by showing them how to hook into PR initiatives in their respective industries," Orchan business development director Eugenie Chan said.

Chocolate Box PR is a cost-effective option for any businesses that have not used PR before.

With three distinct step-up packages available for start-ups, Chocolate Box PR works on different levels to prepare, educate, pitch, and enable exposure for the entrepreneurs and their products, Chan said.

"A basic package offers consultancy and "do-it-yourself-PR" with guidance on how to move forward, where a more comprehensive package will offer select story pitches, a product launch or press conference, or preparation of select collaterals relevant to your business," she added.

Chan, who is also co-creator of the Chocolate Box PR concept, said while most entrepreneurs have passion for their brands, they need effective and practical solutions to help them get maximum impact.

"Chocolate Box PR shows start-ups that PR is an accessible tool, and that in many cases, they can do a lot of it themselves with the right guidance and support mechanisms," she said.

The firm has developed a model to suit the Malaysian context, and the result is a programme to empower start-up entrepreneurs to build confidence in using PR. "It also enables them to have more autonomy in their PR direction," Chan said.

Among companies that have benefited from Chocolate Box PR include Yappy.TV, an online social media portal, and BellaVita, a new health supplement company.

Orchan, established in 2009, offers clients a complete portfolio of PR services including brand building, product launches, events and promotions, corporate social responsibility and social media

Furniture makers must be design-driven to compete

Source From (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/330949

Published: on 26 March 2012
EE ANN NEE
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR (March 26, 2012): Furniture makers must be design-driven to move up the value chain in the face of intense competition from countries such as China and Vietnam given their low cost advantage, Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council (MFPC) CEO Au Leck Chai said.

Furniture makers, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that make up 80-85% of the industry, should cultivate and develop a design-based approach to compete in a challenging industry that has slowed down over the last three years.

"SMEs have limited capital so they should approach the market with better designs and value-added products, targeting the niche (medium to high-end) market instead of mass-producing goods. The furniture industry will be design-oriented, where innovation, design and branding will be the way forward," Au told SunBiz in an interview.

He said the furniture industry, which reached its peak of RM8.6 billion in furniture exports in 2008, had been affected by the economic slowdown, followed by the emergence of China and Vietnam as strong competitors. Last year, Malaysia's furniture exports stood at RM7.6 billion.

"Furniture makers are also struggling with labour and material shortage, two major issues that stifle the industry's capacity and exports."

Some furniture makers have relocated to China, Vietnam and Indonesia to overcome the labour and material shortages so they can take advantage of the countries' resources.

Fewer furniture companies are seeking listing on Bursa Malaysia compared with a decade ago, a sign of diminishing interest in the furniture industry.

"For the past two decades, many furniture makers were making profits due to their rapid growth and were able to get their companies listed. Now, due to the stifling conditions, furniture makers find their margins reduced along with new competitors. They're slowly getting cautious of the dangers of this industry," Au said.
Neither are they on the radar screen of analysts and there is also little or no research coverage on the industry.

An analyst said it will be a challenge for Malaysian furniture makers to move into the medium- and high-end markets as they may lack the expertise, capability, and global reach.

"The current demand is not that strong with all the tepid housing starts in the developed market, so there is less excitement for the sector to begin with. Also, the shortage of foreign workers and the introduction of a minimum wage policy will also impact furniture makers in production and cost," said the analyst.

Au said there needs to be a change in the mindset of furniture-making SMEs towards cultivating a design culture, and this includes working with interior designers, architects and the hospitality industry.

"The demand for well-designed furniture is increasing due to the development of the hospitality industry and lifestyle changes, such as hotel, spa, school and food court. When SMEs are able to cater to that demand, they will start to look towards a bigger production, hence creating a win-win situation."

He said SMEs in the furniture industry look towards the leadership of big companies to expand overseas and for opportunities. "SMEs get a piece of the action in supplying parts and components to bigger companies."

With these changes, Au said big furniture players are reinvesting in marketing instead of production capacity, as they need to study market trends.

‘Kedai sehenti’

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/2012032600024120120326000241/Article/index_html

Published: on 26 March 2012
Oleh Sri Ayu Kartikawati Amri
kartika@hmetro.com.my

PEANUTEDDISM Trading, syarikat milik penuh Bumiputera yang memperkenalkan perkhidmatan barbeku menerusi dalam talian (online) mengorak langkah setapak lagi apabila merancang mengeluarkan produk sejuk beku sosej sendiri berikutan permintaan menggalakkan.
Pengasasnya, Mohd Nordin Mohd Surani berkata, walaupun tiga tahun memfokus dalam memberikan khidmat rundingan dalam bidang perniagaan masakan dan menyediakan pakej barbeku untuk pelbagai acara secara online, pihaknya kini merancang mempelbagaikan lagi produknya bagi pasaran rangkaian restoran yang berminat.

Beliau yang dikenali sebagai Chef Teddy berkata, ketika ini beliau hanya mengeluarkan produk makanan sejuk beku untuk pelanggan yang menempah pakej barbeku selain menawarkan perkhidmatan hantaran percuma.
“Kami komited menjadi kedai sehenti bagi produk dan pakej barbeku pertama di negara ini memandangkan berpengalaman lebih 10 tahun dalam bidang masakan serta minuman (F&B). Paling penting, kami mengutamakan kualiti serta rasa setiap hidangan barbeku disediakan.

“Selain itu, kami juga menyediakan khidmat perundingan meliputi semua bidang termasuk reka bentuk dapur, menu serta membantu usahawan yang tiada pengalaman tetapi ingin menceburi bidang F&B, sekali gus memaksimumkan keuntungan dan kecekapan mereka,” katanya.

Menurutnya, pihaknya menawarkan pakej barbeku untuk pelbagai perayaan dan acara bermula pada harga RM55 hingga RM75 seorang dengan pilihan daging kambing, ayam, itik, ayam Belanda, sosej Jerman, daging lembu, sate dan lain-lain.

Friday, March 23, 2012

TM targets 10pc increase in SME customers

Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/bizfest/Article/

Published: on 23 March 2012
By Cheryl Yvonne Achu

KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) plans to expand its small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customer base by 10 per cent by end of this year.

The country's largest fixed-line phone company currently has 494,000 SME customers.

TM SME executive vice-president Azizi A. Hadi said TM is committed in their partnership role to supporting SMEs' growth by enabling the enterprises to achieve a competitive edge, leveraging on TM's wide ranging solutions and extensive networks.

Speaking after the launch of the inaugural SME BizFest 2012 here yesterday, he said TM anticipates more than RM1 million in trade deals from the event.

"SME BizFest is one of the many special platforms that we have prepared for Malaysian SMEs."

The event will be held in three major cities, namely Penang (April 13 to 14), Johor Bahru (May 11 to 12) and Kuala Lumpur (May 18 to 19).

Over 30 exhibitors are expected to take part in the two-day expo in each city.

It aims to provide a synergistic information and communications technology (ICT) showcase for Malaysian SMEs to increase product and services knowledge as well as awareness among the fraternity.

The event will also be a platform for SMEs to interact among themselves and open up business opportunities through business matching sessions.

Among the highlights are interactive presentations, plenary style conferences covering a wide range of ICT and SME topics by renowned international and local speakers, la-test technology demonstrations and exhibition.

Over 500,000 SMEs are expected at the event.

Azizi said TM is collaborating with global ICT leaders for the event such as Green Oranges, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and Panasonic.

Pelanggan PKS tumbuh 10 peratus

Source From (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0323&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Ekonomi&pg=ek_03.htm

Published: on 23 March 2012



Azizi A. Hadi (kiri) bersama pengurusan kanan TM 
melancarkan TM SME Biz fest 2012 di Menara KL, 
Kuala Lumpur, semalam.


KUALA LUMPUR 22 Mac – Telekom Malaysia Bhd. (TM) menyasarkan pelanggan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) meningkat 10 peratus tahun ini berikutan pengenalan pelbagai produk berinovatif baharu.
Setakat ini, jumlah pelanggan segmen PKS bagi TM mencecah 494,000 dengan 303,000 daripadanya merupakan pengguna perkhidmatan Internet mudah alih dan jalur lebar (broadband).

Naib Presiden Eksekutif TM (PKS), Azizi A. Hadi berkata, TM menawarkan pelbagai produk khas untuk pembangunan dan operasi PKS, antaranya seperti UniFi Biz, Office In The Box dan SmartMap.

“Kami akan melancarkan beberapa produk baharu yang lebih inovatif tahun ini meliputi alat pemasaran dalam talian.

“Pertumbuhan pelanggan PKS TM adalah baik setiap tahun dan kami jangka tahun ini pelanggan baharu akan tumbuh 10 peratus,” katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas majlis pelancaran BizFest 2012 di sini hari ini.
BizFest merupakan pameran produk teknologi maklumat (IT) khas untuk PKS tempatan yang pertama kali dianjurkan TM. Ia akan diadakan di tiga lokasi utama iaitu di Pulau Pinang (13 April), Johor (11 Mei) dan Petaling Jaya (18 Mei).

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Survey: Chinese less optimistic this year

Source From (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/20/business/10947533&sec=business

Published: on 20 March 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: The local Chinese business community is less optimistic about the Malaysian economic outlook for 2012, a survey conducted by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) has revealed.

RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd vice-president of economics research Peck Boon Soon, who is also ACCCIM socio-economic research committee deputy chairman, said: “If you look at the trend, I suppose most businesses don’t really feel positive this year.

“They are feeling more upbeat for 2013.
“Under these circumstances, it’s in line with what global institutions have forecasted, which is that gross domestic product growth for this year will be weaker.

ACCCIM commerce committee chairman Dr Leong Kai Hin (left), Cheng and Peck (right) at the press conference on its survey report on the economic situation in Malaysia for the second half of 2011.
 
“Perhaps it will be in the region of around 4% to 5% as opposed to 5.1% last year.”
As for the external scenario, Peck said overseas business orders were not picking up.
“On top of that, the eurozone is likely to go into recession this year.
“Also, growth in China and India is also likely to slow down this year.

“Eventually, this will affect Malaysia’s exports as we can only rely on domestic demand.
“So under these circumstances, obviously businesses will feel less optimistic,” Peck said.

ACCCIM president Tan Sri William Cheng said the more challenging external environment could present greater downside risks to growth prospects and domestic demand was expected to continue to be the key growth driver.

“Today, Malaysia is facing stiff competition from other Asean countries to attract foreign direct investment inflow.

“Competition in the region has no doubt become increasingly intense.”
Cheng added that Asean enterprises were facing many challenges.

Such challenges include market entry barriers, rising labour costs, continued increases in prices of raw materials, and instability in the international market.

The survey is to gauge the economic situation of Malaysia for the second half of 2011 and how it has impacted the Chinese business community, and to assess the various measures undertaken by the Government.

Those who participated in the survey included from the wholesale and retail, manufacturing, professional and business services, construction and agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors.
Of the 649 questionnaires sent out, only 277 responses were received. — By Wong Wei-Shen

Monday, March 19, 2012

MFA galak usahawan muda ceburi francais

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/MFAgalakusahawanmudaceburifrancais/Article/index_html

Published: on 19 March 2012

PERSATUAN Francais Malaysia (MFA) menggalakkan individu yang baru berjinak-jinak dalam sektor perniagaan untuk menceburi perniagaan berkonsepkan francais.
Presidennya, Abdul Malik Abdullah berkata, konsep perniagaan francais amat bersesuaian dengan usahawan baru yang tidak mempunyai pengalaman perniagaan kerana risiko perniagaannya rendah berbanding perniagaan konvensional.

“Apabila saya mengatakan risiko yang rendah, ia bermaksud konsep francais sudah mempunyai sistem, operasi secara manual dan panduan sedia ada yang dikeluarkan francaisor dan ini memudahkan mereka yang baru menceburi bidang perniagaan,” katanya.
Abdul Malik berkata Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KDPNKK) bersama-sama MFA kini berusaha memperkenalkan konsep francais kepada lepasan universiti yang mencari pekerjaan.

“Ini juga selaras dengan hasrat penaung MFA, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yang mahu golongan muda terutama Bumiputera berkecimpung dalam bidang perniagaan dan tidak hanya mengharapkan peluang pekerjaan dalam sektor awam,” katanya.

Abdul Malik berkata, setakat ini, MFA mempunyai kira-kira 600 anggota yang terdiri daripada francaisor, francaisi, perunding, peguam dan badan institusi sokongan yang membabitkan 528 jenama yang ada di Malaysia.

Friday, March 16, 2012

ACCCIM says minimum wage policy needs to match the different capabilities of SMEs

Source From (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/16/business/10925918&sec=business

Published: on 16 March 2012
By LIZ LEE
lizlee@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) is of the view that the proposed minimum wage policy needs more detailed classification to match the different capabilities of SMEs.

Speaking to the media at the third ACCCIM SME conference, deputy treasurer C.S. Tangrecommended that the focus be shifted to the total take-home income of workers, rather than a one-size-fits-all salary
figure.

Koong says the proposed policy will be tough on companies with low-skilled workers.
 
“There should be classes (for different companies). Those that depend on salary without incentives, they should follow one set of criteria; those with minimum salary plus incentives should meet other criteria.

Otherwise when you mix them up, it would be a problem for the people carrying the cost,” he said, adding that manufacturers especially might be pushed out of the market if they had to bear higher costs.

He also said that the policy should take into account the varying living cost in the country's regions and operational costs in different industries.

In ACCCIM's fifth SME market survey, it found that 47% of the respondents opposed the blanket minimum wage policy. Of this, 40% are manufacturers.

National council member and head of SME survey unit Koong Lin Loong said the survey found those supporting the policy were young SMEs which had only been around for less than three years.

Those that depend on salary without incentives, they should follow one set of criteria; those with minimum salary plus incentives should meet other criteria. - C.S. TANG
 
“Maybe because they have fewer workers and lower operational cost, the policy has less impact on them,” he said.

He added that the proposed policy would be tough on companies with low-skilled workers but not a problem for those employing professionals as the salary scale in the latter already exceeded the proposed minimum wage.

“Those who employ low-skilled workers, they oppose, but the professionals and skilled workers are above (the RM800 mark) so they have nothing to oppose,” he said.

In the survey, the chamber of commerce found that 62% of the SME respondents were facing human capital shortage with the problem most pronounced in the hotel industry, agriculture, farming, timber, fishery and gardening industry and manufacturing.

On the ratio of workers' nationality, 43% of them hired foreign staff, mostly in the agriculture, timber, fishery, farming and gardening as well as construction sector.

Industries with the least foreign workers were travel and entertainment, professional services and ICT.
The survey also found that 68% of the SMEs agreed with the Government's move to extend the retirement age to 60.

Franchise expo set to clinch RM370m trade deals

Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/sabri15/Article/index_html

Published: on 16 March 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: The Franchise International Malaysia 2012 (FIM 2012), organised by Malaysia Franchise Association (MFA), is expected to clinch some RM370 million worth of trade deals.

Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said the target was made based on the overwhelming response received last year, where the exhibition recorded deals worth RM352 million.

"We are targeting 25 per cent of the total exhibitors for the event to be part of international participants," he said, adding that 60 booths have been sold as of today, with majority of them are local.

He said the event would dedicate a total of 120 booths for the local and international franchise participants.

Speaking to reporters after officiating at the soft launch of the FIM 2012 here yesterday, this year the franchise sector is estimated to contribute RM22.5 billion to the country's gross national income (GNI), and RM50.58 billion for the year 2020.

To date, there are 603 franchisors in the country, of which 416 are local, 126 are international and the remaining 61 are master franchisor.

Also present was MFA chairman Abdul Malik Abdullah.

FIM 2012 will be held from July 6 to July 8 at the Putra World Trade Centre.

The exhibition is to promote and encourage the development of the franchise industry, creating a platform for them to promote their brands and develop more successful franchisee entrepreneurs.

MFA expects some 10,000 people, both local and foreign, to visit the exhibition, while a conference to be held concurrently with the exhibition , will feature local and international franchise industry players.

On the other matter, Sabri said the ministry had sent a proposal of change of the Franchise Act 1998 to the Attorney General for further action.

"Changes in the Act is to enable us to collect data on number of franchisees in the country beside the number of franchisors," he said.

Pameran francais terbesar

Source From (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0316&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Ekonomi&pg=ek_02.htm

Published: on 16 March 2012
Oleh SARAH NADLIN ROHIM
ekonomi@utusan.com.mySarah



Ismail Sabri Yaakob diberi penerangan mengenai Franchise International Malaysia 
2012 selepas majlis prapelancaran pamerannya di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. Turut 
hadir Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, 
Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (kanan) dan Datuk Tan Lian Hoe (kiri) serta Pengerusi 
Persatuan Francais Malaysia, Abdul Malik Abdullah (tiga, kiri). - BERNAMA 

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Mac - Pameran dan Persidangan Francais Antarabangsa Malaysia 2012 (FIM 2012) menyasarkan transaksi perniagaan bernilai RM370 juta dan mencatatkan bilangan pengunjung melebihi 10,000 orang.

Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob berkata, sasaran itu dibuat berdasarkan sambutan memberangsangkan yang diterima pada tahun lalu apabila mencatatkan transaksi perniagaan sebanyak RM352 juta.

"Jumlah pengunjung yang hadir pada tahun lalu juga amat menggalakkan apabila berjaya menarik minat seramai 10,756 orang," katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan prapelancaran FIM 2012 di sini hari ini.

Hadir sama Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim dan Datuk Tan Lian Hoe.

Pameran FIM 2012 akan diadakan pada 6 hingga 8 Julai ini.
Tambah Ismail Sabri, pameran tersebut bakal disertai oleh francaisor tempatan, manakala 25 peratus lagi merupakan francaisor asing.

Setakat ini, jumlah francaisor adalah 603 dengan 416 tempatan, 126 asing dan 61 francaisor induk.
Dalam perkembangan lain, Ismail Sabri berkata, kementeriannya telah menghantar kertas cadangan perubahan Akta Francais 1998 kepada Peguam Negara untuk tindakan lanjut.

"Perubahan akta tersebut adalah bagi membolehkan pihak kami mengumpul data jumlah francaisi yang terdapat di dalam negara berbanding jumlah francaisor sahaja pada masa ini," jelasnya.

Gubal akta peroleh maklumat francaisi

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Gubalaktaperolehmaklumatfrancaisi/Article/index_html

Published: on 16 March 2012

KEMENTERIAN Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Dan Koperasi (KPDNKK) bercadang untuk menggubal Akta Francais 1998 bagi membolehkan kementeriannya mendapatkan data dan maklumat francaisi.
Sebelum ini, di bawah Akta Francais 1998 hanya francaisor diwajibkan untuk mendaftar dan memberikan maklumat kepada KPDNKK dan tidak diwajibkan kepada golongan francaisi.

Menterinya, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob berkata, kementeriannya sudah menghantar cadangan penggubalan akta itu kepada peguam negara dan dijangka bakal dibentangkan kepada Kabinet dalam tahun ini.
Katanya, penggubalan Akta Francais 1998 membolehkan kerajaan untuk mengumpul maklumat dan data bilangan francaisi yang kini dijangka melebihi 5,315. Dalam masa yang sama, ia memudahkan kerajaan untuk mengetahui sumbangan perniagaan mereka ke dalam ekonomi negara pada masa depan.

Sebelum ini, Ismail pernah berkata untuk meminda Akta Francais 1998 bagi melindungi francaisi daripada sebarang masalah terutama penipuan dilihat sebagai langkah bertepatan dalam usaha membangunkan industri francais negara yang semakin berkembang.

“Industri francais negara dijangka menyumbang RM22.5 bilion kepada pendapatan kasar dalam negara kerana buat masa ini sebanyak 603 francaisor direkodkan berdaftar di bawah kementerian dan ia dijangka meningkat sehingga hujung tahun ini.

9.4pc franchise contribution to Malaysia GDP by 2020

Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/pakdafi/Article/

Published: on 16 March 2012

This is expected to drive the average per capital income of industry players to more than RM2,990 a month, from RM470 last year.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is targeting a 9.4 per cent contribution from the franchise industry to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020 from 2.2 per cent last year.

This is expected to drive the average per capital income of industry players to more than RM2,990 a month, from RM470 last year.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said the target is based on the premise that the National Franchise Development Master Plan 2012-2016 will reach the height of its implementation in 2020.

He said the industry's contribution to the GDP is projected to increase to 4.3 per cent in 2016 and will continue to grow to 9.4 per cent in 2020, consistent with Malaysia's goal of becoming a high-income country.

"The ministry also expects per capita income for industry players to increase to RM1,110 in 2016 from RM470 last year," he told a news conference after launching the master plan here yesterday.

Ismail Sabri said with the restructuring initiatives under the plan and its "Franchising for All" slogan, the youths, women, single mothers, the disabled, retirees, rural folks and the orang asli will be given opportunities to venture into franchise businesses.

According to the minister, the plan will review existing policies, strategies and development programmes as well as determine the direction of the franchise business in efforts to turn Malaysia into a franchise hub in Southeast Asia and Middle East by 2020.

The master plan is also expected to evaluate the industry's development based on key indicators such as the involvement of franchisors and franchisees as well as their contribution to the economy in terms of sales and employment, he said.

Ismail Sabri said incentives developed under the plan include the Overseas Expansion Loan Fund to finance cooperative involvement in franchise operations.

A total of RM10 million has been allocated under the fund for local franchisers seeking to expand overseas.

"We will look into the applications (for the fund) on a case-by-case basis," he said at the launch.

To date, the ministry has registered 597 franchise businesses, of which 34 per cent of them are in the food industry.

Ismail Sabri also said that local entrepreneurs had already set up franchises in 50 countries, with Indonesia and China being the main markets.

He said the ministry will provide RM5 million to RM10 million in the first phase for international franchises and RM8 million for small franchises locally.

Meanwhile, the government is considering amending the Franchise 1998 Act in the next session of Parliament in March.

Under the existing law, registration of franchises is not compulsory which makes it difficult for the ministry to monitor them, Ismail Sabri said.

At the launch yesterday, forty-five companies were awarded licences and franchise certificates.

1-InnoCERT bantu pembangunan PKS

Source From (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0316&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Ekonomi&pg=ek_04.htm

Published: on 16 March 2012

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Mac - SME Corp. Malaysia memperkenalkan Persijilan Inovasi bagi Penarafan Enterpris dan Program Transformasi (1-InnoCERT) untuk membantu mengenalpasti dan memperakukan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) di Malaysia.

Timbalan Pengarahnya, Mohd. Izham Abdullah berkata, 1-InnoCERT akan menilai keupayaan organisasi untuk menginovasi, menghasil dan mengkomersialkan, serta mengukur keupayaan pengurusan untuk merancang, mengurus dan bertindak balas kepada perubahan dan inovasi.

"Objektif kami adalah untuk merangsang dan menyokong mereka untuk menjadi peserta global yang inovatif dan kompetitif.

"Dengan adanya persijilan 1-InnoCERT akan membantu sesebuah syarikat untuk terus berkembang maju dengan penghargaan dan penghormatan," katanya kepada pemberita di Persidangan PKS Ketiga ACCCIM di sini, hari ini.

Syarikat-syarikat dengan 1-InnoCERT layak bagi Polisi Green Lane yang membolehkan mereka menikmati kemudahan kewangan, insentif cukai dan pemerolehan kerajaan.

Beliau berkata, penting untuk menambah baik modul perniagaan PKS di Malaysia, kerana ia menyumbang 30 peratus kepada keluaran dalam negara kasar (KDNK) negara ketika ini. - BERNAMA

Kerjasama pemasaran strategik

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Kerjasamapemasaranstrategik/Article/index_html

Published: on 16 March 2012

TREND Micro Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Trend Micro) menjalin kerjasama strategik dengan tiga rakan niaga platinumnya iaitu CSC Malaysia Sdn Bhd, HeiTech Padu Berhad dan Mesiniaga Berhad sebagai sebahagian daripada Program Afiniti baru untuk memenuhi keperluan segmen perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS).
Sehubungan dengan itu, penyedia perkhidmatan rumusan dan perisian keselamatan global itu menyasarkan pertumbuhan perolehan 35 peratus bersandarkan pengenalan pelbagai produk untuk pelbagai segmen penggunaan itu bermula 2012 hingga 2014.

Tiga pengenalan produk baru dijangka dilakukan tahun ini dalam segmen perisian, keselamatan perkomputeran cloud, rumusan bersiri dan pada masa yang sama menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan perolehannya dalam tempoh tiga tahun.
Pengarah Urusan Rantau Asia Tenggaranya, Goh Chee Hoh berkata, pemasaran produk baru bakal dibantu tiga rakan platinum itu yang dijangka mampu menarik pelanggan di kalangan pengguna pertengahan dan korporat seperti syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC).

“Ketika ini kami menjadi syarikat paling berpengaruh dalam segmen keselamatan perkomputeran cloud di Malaysia dan dengan kerjasama pemasaran bersama tiga syarikat ini dijangka terus memperkukuhkan kedudukan kami di pasaran tempatan. “Selain itu, kerjasama ketiga syarikat itu bersama Trend Micro dalam penyediaan perkhidmatan rumusan, keselamatan perisian dan penyedia versi perisian terbaru syarikat dapat memperkenalkan lebih banyak produk berkualiti yang boleh dipasarkan kepada pengguna yang pelbagai seperti segmen korporat dan PKS pada masa depan,” katanya pada majlis menandatangani kerjasama dengan tiga syarikat itu di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Sahz invests RM100m in Nilai plant

Source From (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/320787

Published: on 14 March 2012
EVA YEONG
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14, 2012): Sahz Holdings Sdn Bhd, a local small-medium enterprise producing supercapacitors, is investing RM100 million in a production plant in Nilai this year.

Through a collaboration with the University of Nottingham, the company first started out with a RM10 million pilot plant in 2007 at the university's Malaysian campus in Semenyih.

Sahz's CEO Ahmad Husni Ahmad Zainal Abidin said it intends to integrate supercapacitors with batteries, creating a smart hybrid storage system at its new plant in Nilai, which will be funded by private investors (50%) and soft loans (50%).

"It will be a powerful device for application in a number of industries including renewable energy, transport, defence, security and law enforcement," he said.

Through the collaboration with the university, Sahz gets PhD students to participate in its projects as part of their studies, engaging them for three to four years and hiring them upon graduation.

"The industry outlook is very promising as it is market driven; there is always a need for energy storage.
"Despite the economic slowdown in Europe and the US, we are very optimistic. When they (Europe and the US) recover, we will be there to provide our products in various industries," said Ahmad Husni.

He noted that Sahz manufactures products on a small scale at its pilot plant and has received very positive response.

"Batteries alone have a lot of limitations. In the future, electric cars, trains and others will all be using energy storage solutions," he said.

He added that the technology was initially from Britain. Using local materials and labour, the company managed to cut down production costs.

Sahz also runs tests for various technologies and is testing mobile applications for several global companies, including mobile phone and digital camera manufacturers.

Ahmad Husni said Sahz has also worked with several Korean parties, who are interested in further collaboration with the company.

MITI sasar MIHAS kutip RM500j

Source From (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/MITIsasarMIHASkutipRM500j/Article

Published: on 14 March 2012
Oleh Che Wan Badrul Alias

KEMENTERIAN Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (MITI), menyasar Pameran Halal Antarabangsa Malaysia (MIHAS) Kesembilan mampu mencatatkan potensi jualan sehingga RM500 juta, tahun ini, meskipun dalam persekitaran ekonomi global yang masih tidak menentu serta pengukuhan nilai ringgit yang menyukarkan perdagangan.

Timbalan Menterinya, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, berkata pasaran halal adalah unik dan memiliki penerokaan tersendiri, justeru menjadikannya berdaya tahan terhadap sebarang masalah ekonomi global khususnya krisis kewangan Eropah.
Katanya, keunikan pasaran ini dapat dilihat dari segi pembabitan peserta industri makanan halal dan perkhidmatan berasaskan syariah yang begitu memberangsangkan.
Katanya, selain daripada berpotensi dipasarkan kepada 1.8 bilion, produk halal juga turut diterima baik penduduk bukan Islam.

“Ia dibuktikan apabila MIHAS tahun ini menerima dua lagi penyertaan baru daripada negara bukan Islam iaitu Korea dan Sri Lanka, menjadikan jumlah negara yang turut serta dalam pameran sempena Minggu Halal Malaysia (MHM) itu kepada 23 negara.

“Bagi kementerian, sekiranya MIHAS kali ini dapat mencapai jumlah jualan yang sama tahun lalu iaitu sebanyak RM588.24 juta, ia sudah memadai kerana jumlah ini bukannya jumlah yang kecil,” katanya pada majlis makan tengah hari MIHAS, di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Mengulas lanjut, Mukhriz berkata, sehingga kini hampir 90 peratus ruang pameran sudah ditempah manakala bakinya dijangka habis ditempah tidak lama lagi.
Katanya, peserta daripada sektor makanan dan minuman (F&B) halal terus mendominasi ruang pameran tahun ini iaitu sekitar 154 gerai atau 28.77 peratus berbanding jumlah keseluruhan 518 gerai.

“Kebanyakan peserta adalah daripada sektor F&B, farmasutikal, kosmetik dan pembungkusan makanan. Ada juga penyertaan daripada sektor perkhidmatan, perbankan & kewangan berasaskan syariah, mesin dan perkakasan makanan.

“Selaras dengan tema tahun ini iaitu Memperkasakan Pasaran Halal Global, penganjur yakin pameran ini mampu menjadi platform yang menyediakan akses industri halal kepada pembeli, pedagang asing, perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS), syarikat multinasional, pelabur dan penganalisis dari seluruh dunia,” katanya.

Pasaran halal global RM7 trilion

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/PasaranhalalglobalRM7trilion/Article/index_html

Published: on 14 March 2012

PAMERAN Halal Antarabangsa (Mihas) kesembilan yang akan berlangsung di Pusat Konvensyen Kuala Lumpur pada 4 hingga 7 April depan dijangka mencatatkan urus niaga bernilai lebih RM500 juta menerusi padanan perniagaan dan jualan potensi membabitkan peserta industri halal seluruh dunia.
Tahun lalu, Mihas merekodkan nilai urus niaga bernilai RM588.24 juta dan daripada jumlah itu sebanyak RM20.46 juta adalah jualan berpotensi dengan menyaksikan lebih 500 gerai jualan serta pameran dalam pelbagai sektor yang kebanyakannya didominasi sektor makanan.

Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir berkata, pihaknya berharap Mihas mampu mencatatkan nilai jualan hampir sama dengan tahun lalu meskipun senario ekonomi semasa dipengaruhi krisis ekonomi di Eropah. Beliau berkata, sektor industri halal memiliki potensi yang luas berikutan populasi penduduk Islam seluruh dunia berjumlah 1.8 bilion manakala pasaran produk halal global bernilai lebih AS$2.3 trilion (RM7 trilion) setahun. Katanya, ketika ini 90 peratus daripada 518 gerai pameran sudah ditempah dengan penyertaan paling besar menerusi sektor makanan diikuti farmaseutikal dan pembungkusan membabitkan syarikat tempatan serta antarabangsa.

Raih RM200,000 Burung Walet

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/RaihRM200_000/Article/index_html

Published: on 14 March 2012
Oleh Mohd Amin Jalil
bisnes@hmetro.com.my

AL-FITRAH Jaya Marketing (Al-Fitrah), syarikat Bumiputera yang memasarkan produk sarang burung walet di Negeri Sembilan menyasarkan meraih nilai jualan sehingga RM200,000 sebulan dan melantik lebih 20 pengusaha menjelang akhir tahun ini.
Pengarah Urusannya, Zamri Abu berkata, pihaknya yakin sasaran itu mampu dicapai walaupun syarikatnya baru meningkatkan keupayaan dua bulan lalu dan menerima saingan hebat usahawan bukan Bumiputera dalam perniagaan sama.

Beliau berkata, Al-Fitrah setakat ini memasarkan 10 produk berasaskan sarang burung walet, antaranya dua pati sarang burung walet dengan kismis, za’faran, madu dan ginseng serta kologen selain minuman sarang burung walet.
“Syarikat kini sudah memasarkan pelbagai produk sarang burung walet dengan jualan antara RM30,000 dan RM50,000 sebulan dan merancang meluaskan lagi rangkaian perniagaan ini dengan melantik ramai ejen jualan serta stokis di seluruh negara dalam tempoh terdekat.

“Produk dipasarkan ini dijamin bersih kerana mendapat sijil halal daripada Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim),” katanya.

Menurutnya, pihaknya mempelawa lebih ramai usahawan terutama lepasan siswazah yang berminat untuk bekerjasama memasarkan produk itu dengan pakej menarik dan mampu membawa keuntungan tinggi.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya turut mengadakan kelas bimbingan kepada usahawan baru bagi memastikan mereka tidak keseorangan dalam mencapai matlamat ditetapkan.

Katanya, produk burung walet amat baik untuk kesihatan termasuk mengatasi masalah paru-paru, batuk, selsema dan asma selain melancarkan sistem aliran darah.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

GMB, SME Corp bantu usahawan mangsa banjir

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/GMB_SMECorpbantuusahawanmangsabanjir/Article/index_html

Published: on 13 March 2012

PERTUBUHAN Usahawan Generasi Muda Berjaya Malaysia (GMB) dengan kerjasama SME Corp Malaysia (SME Corp) menggunakan dana kecemasan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) bagi membantu usahawan yang menjadi mangsa banjir di Hulu Langat, Selangor, minggu lalu.

GMB yang membuat lawatan dan bancian di kawasan terbabit mendapati lebih 50 mangsa mengalami kerugian antara RM30,000 hingga RM300,000. Pihaknya membawa mereka yang terbabit ke pejabat SME Corp untuk mengisi borang tertentu dan mendengar taklimat daripada Ketua Eksekutifnya, Datuk Hafsah Hashim, kelmarin.

Transformasi AIM

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/TransformasiAIM/Article/index_html

Published: on 13 March 2012
Oleh Sri Ayu Kartikawati Amri
kartika@hmetro.com.my

CHE MAHDI...sudah salur RM6.3 bilion
CHE MAHDI...sudah salur 
RM6.3 bilion 
AMANAH Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) melalui Unit Pembangunan Usahawannya (UPU) akan meningkatkan program keusahawanan dengan lebih sistematik dan berfokus, sekali gus menyasarkan untuk melahirkan 95 peratus usahawan yang mempunyai pendapatan melepasi Purata Garis Kemiskinan Kerajaan (PGK) sehingga tahun 2015.
Penolong Pengarah Bahagian Latihannya, Che Mahdi Idris berkata, pihaknya juga komited untuk mencapai 30 peratus usahawan yang aktif meminjam berpendapatan tinggi melebihi RM3,500 sebulan menjelang 2015.

Katanya, objektif utama UPU diwujudkan sejak lima tahun dulu adalah bagi membantu menggerakkan sektor keusahawanan di kalangan Sahabat (peserta) AIM seramai hampir 300,000 orang yang sudah menerima pembiayaan melebihi RM6.3 bilion.
“UPU sebenarnya menggalas tanggungjawab yang besar untuk mencapai matlamat mewujudkan, membina potensi, membangun dan memperkasakan usahawan mikro AIM. Transformasi melahirkan lebih ramai Sahabat usahawan bertaraf IKS adalah satu langkah strategik pada masa hadapan selari dengan matlamat kerajaan dalam Model Baru Ekonomi (MBE) untuk mencapai tahap pendapatan tinggi bagi rakyat Malaysia.

“Program yang menjadi fokus kami adalah melaksanakan program keusahawan sebagai merangsang transformasi Sahabat dari tahap usahawan mikro kepada usahawan pengusaha kecil dan sederhana (IKS),” katanya kepada Bisnes Metro.

Menurutnya, antara program yang dirancang secara tetap dan berjadual adalah meliputi latihan asas keusahawanan, latihan pembentukan usahawan, latihan kemahiran projek, latihan pemantapan perniagaan, program transformasi perniagaan dan program khas seperti karnival atau ekspo jualan.

Che Mahdi berkata, tahun ini UPU turut merancang untuk melaksanakan sejumlah 512 program keusahawanan yang membabitkan seramai 17,000 orang sahabat AIM.

Rancang buka 16 kedai D’ Mart

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Rancangbuka16kedaiD__8217_Mart/Article/index_html

Published: on 13 March 2012

FELDA Trading Sdn Bhd (Felda Trading) menyasarkan membuka 16 kedai D’ Mart iaitu kedai runcit yang menjual pelbagai barangan pada harga patut termasuk di Sabah dan Sarawak sepanjang tahun ini.
Pengarah Eksekutifnya, Eimir Huzaimi Md Noh berkata, ketika ini sebanyak 240 kedai D’ Mart yang menjual barangan keluaran Felda Trading sudah dibuka di seluruh negara dengan 20 daripadanya beroperasi di Perak.

Beliau berkata, kedai D’ Mart adalah sebahagian daripada milik Koperasi Permodalan Felda Bhd dan menjual barangan pada harga lebih murah kerana mendapat bekalan dari Felda Trading yang kini mengeluarkan 29 jenis barangan keperluan harian termasuk makanan dan barangan penjagaan diri.
“Jenis bilangan barangan ini dijangka meningkat kepada 40 mulai bulan ini dan 100 jenis pada Jun manakala 150 jenis lagi menjelang akhir tahun ini.

“Kami mengadakan kerjasama dan usahasama dengan pihak perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS), pengilang dan pertubuhan koperasi yang berkemampuan menghasilkan produk bermutu dan dijamin halal,” katanya merasmikan kedai D’ Mart Kamunting, baru-baru ini.

oleh Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Tan Lian Hoe di Kamunting, Perak, baru-baru ini.

Monday, March 12, 2012

PNS labur RM80j projek hartanah komersial

Source From (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/PNSlaburRM80jprojekhartanahkomersial/Article

Published: on 12 March 2012
Oleh Zuraidah Mohamed
zmohamed@bharian.com.my
2012/03/12

Pelaburan awal bina premis bantu usahawan francais

PERBADANAN Nasional Bhd (PNS), akan meningkatkan secara lebih agresif pelaburannya dalam hartanah dalam tempoh lima tahun ini bagi menyediakan lebih banyak premis perniagaan kepada usahawan francais pada kadar yang kompetitif.
Pengarah Urusannya, Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Zainol Khodki Shahabudin, berkata, PNS akan memperuntukkan pelaburan awal berjumlah RM80 juta bagi melaksanakan projek pembangunan atau membeli hartanah komersial berdasarkan keperluan dan permintaan usahawan dalam tempoh berkenaan.
Beliau berkata, selain membantu usahawan francais terutama Bumiputera berniaga di lokasi strategik, ia juga antara strategi syarikat milik kerajaan itu untuk mengembangkan nilai aset hartanahnya yang kini berjumlah kira-kira RM800 juta.

Daripada jumlah nilai aset itu, RM240 juta bagi bangunan dan bakinya adalah tanah yang sebahagian besarnya terletak di Johor.

“Operasi teras PNS masih kepada usaha membangunkan industri francais di negara ini, tetapi kami juga perlu mencari alternatif untuk terus menyokong perkembangan kami dan antaranya adalah menerusi pelaburan hartanah.

“Bagaimanapun, pelaksanaannya adalah berdasarkan kepada permintaan dan apa yang kami akan lakukan meneroka daripada hartanah yang kami ada sama ada menyewakannya atau membangunkannya bagi menjana pendapatan jangka panjang,” katanya kepada Berita Harian di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.
Syed Kamarulzaman, berkata ketika ini segmen hartanah menyumbang kira-kira 45 peratus kepada portfolio pelaburan PNS diikuti pelaburan saham dan mata wang (40 peratus), pinjaman untuk industri francais (10 peratus) dan pelaburan ekuiti (lima peratus).

Beliau berkata, walaupun PNS sentiasa meninjau peluang meningkatkan pelaburannya dalam sektor hartanah tetapi peratusan pelaburan sedia ada kepada portfolio akan dikekalkan buat masa ini.

Ketika ini hartanah dimiliki PNS terdiri daripada rumah kedai, kedai pejabat serta bangunan komersial dengan keluasan lantai 315,000 kaki persegi, antaranya di Klang Sentral, Kuantan, Seberang Perai, Seremban, Glomac di Kelana Jaya dan Bangsar South.


Beliau berkata, di Bangsar South contohnya, PNS menawarkan ruang pejabat mini berkonsepkan Service Office bagi membantu francaisor dan francaisi untuk mempunyai kemudahan pejabat korporat pada kadar sewaan yang lebih rendah dari pasaran.

“Kami mahu memberikan peluang kepada usahawan francais Bumiputera khususnya untuk mendapatkan lokasi perniagaan yang strategik dan membantu mereka dengan memberikan kadar sewaan yang kompetitif.

"Dengan ini, apabila operasi perniagaan mereka sudah semakin maju dan kukuh, usahawan berkenaan boleh membeli unit perniagaan itu daripada PNS," katanya sambil program berkenaan mula diperkenalkan tahun lalu tetapi akan dikembangkan secara agresif bermula tahun ini.

Syed Kamarulzaman juga berkata, PNS akan membangunkan projek pembangunan bercampur dengan nilai pembangunan kasar (GDV) RM200 juta di Bandar Baru Bangi tahun ini.

Katanya, projek pembangunan yang akan dilaksanakan menerusi dua fasa itu dijangka siap sepenuhnya pada 2015 dan akan menawarkan ruang niaga seluas 300,000 kaki persegi kepada usahawan francais.

“Ini antara langkah PNS dalam menyediakan premis perniagaan kepada usahawan francais yang sekali gus meningkatkan pertumbuhan industri francais bagi jangka masa panjang,” katanya sambil menambah projek itu dijangka memberi pulangan sebanyak 20 peratus kepada PNS dalam beberapa tahun selepas ia beroperasi.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Alliance Bank yakin kenaikan hingga 17 peratus dalam PKS

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/AllianceBankyakinkenaikanhingga17peratusdalamPKS/Article/index_html

Published: on 09 March 2012

ALLIANCE Bank Malaysia yakin dapat mencatat pertumbuhan 15 hingga 17 peratus dalam segmen perniagaan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) bagi tahun kewangannya yang berakhir pada 31 Mac 2013, sama seperti dicatatkan pada tahun sebelum.
Ketua Perbankan PKSnya, Steve Miller berkata, pertumbuhannya akan dipacu oleh transaksi perbankan seperti perdagangan dan kutipan pembayaran.

“Kami yakin dengan potensi ditawarkan segmen PKS kerana di Malaysia terdapat lebih 600,000 syarikat beroperasi dalam skala kecil dan sederhana.
“Berikutan itu kami yakin segmen ini akan memberi sumbangan positif dalam pertumbuhan prestasi kewangan kami,” katanya.

Menurutnya, antara faktor utama menyumbang pertumbuhan itu adalah produk pembiayaan ditawarkan untuk jangka panjang.

“Kebanyakan syarikat PKS adalah perniagaan keluarga yang dijalankan beberapa generasi dan di kalangan pemilik perniagaan ini, mereka tidak begitu mementingkan soal penjenamaan sebaliknya mengutamakan ketahanan perniagaan itu untuk disambung generasi seterusnya,” katanya selepas pelancaran MyBusiness Platinum Card di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Kad berkenaan memberi peluang penjenamaan kepada pemilik perniagaan PKS dengan memaparkan logo, imej atau produk yang dimiliki pada kad itu.

“Ia juga menawarkan pengembalian tunai sehingga 1.25 peratus khususnya bagi jumlah perbelanjaan kad bulanan,” katanya.
Menurutnya, pemegang kad juga diberi pilihan sama ada untuk menikmati tempoh pembayaran semula tanpa faedah yang lebih lama atau rebat tunai bagi faedah yang dibayar.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Idea baru francais

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Ideabarufrancais/Article/index_html

Published: on 08 March 2012
Oleh Helmy Abd Rahman
helmy@hmetro.com.my

PERBADANAN Nasional Berhad (PNS), agensi pembiaya perniagaan francais di bawah Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK) meletakkan sasaran membangunkan 10 perniagaan baru untuk difrancaiskan terutama sektor perniagaan yang tidak berkaitan dengan industri makanan dan minuman.
Pengarah Urusannya, Syed Kamarulzaman SZK Shahabudin berkata, untuk itu pihaknya mengunjurkan membiayai pinjaman perniagaan kepada 250 pengusaha francaisi baru dengan peruntukan antara RM40 juta dan RM50 juta tahun ini.

“Kami percaya setiap pekerjaan atau perniagaan boleh difrancaiskan dan kerana itu kami bercadang membangunkan perniagaan kecil. Kami sudah mengenal pasti beberapa perniagaan dalam bidang perkhidmatan yang boleh difrancaiskan antaranya bengkel baik pulih kenderaan, kedai gunting rambut dan perkhidmatan membaiki rumah.
“Kami memperuntukkan pembiayaan antara RM40 juta dan RM50 juta tahun ini, tetapi akan menambah jumlah peruntukan jika dirasakan perlu,” katanya kepada Bisnes Metro.

Beliau berkata, mulai tahun ini, PNS menggunakan pendekatan berbeza bagi memaklumkan kepada orang ramai dan golongan usahawan supaya mereka mempunyai lebih kefahaman mengenai semua jenis perniagaan boleh difrancaiskan meskipun sebelum ini ia dianggap tidak sesuai.

“Oleh itu, untuk menyemarakkan industri francais, kami akan membuka ruang kepada dua golongan iaitu mereka yang mempunyai idea untuk difrancaiskan dan mereka yang mahu francaiskan perniagaan sendiri.

“PNS membuka peluang kepada semua usahawan untuk memfrancaiskan perniagaan masing-masing. Peluang ini terbuka kepada semua usahawan dan jangan menganggap bahawa ia eksklusif untuk industri makanan dan minuman saja. Malah, kami berbesar hati menerima usahawan daripada sektor lain yang mahu berkecimpung dalam perkhidmatan francais,” katanya.

Pakej bisnes kompetitif

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Pakejbisneskompetitif/Article/index_html

Published: on 08 March 2012
Oleh Sri Ayu Kartikawati Amri
kartika@hmetro.com.my

UK Ice Blendz Sales & Marketing, pengeluar minuman air kisar komited melahirkan generasi usahawan Bumiputera berdaya saing apabila memperkenalkan Pakej Korporat dengan modal serendah RM100,000.
Pengarah Urusannya, Ahmad Muzakkir Hamid berkata, pihaknya akan melancarkan kios UK Ice Blendz di pusat membeli-belah terpilih dengan keluasan 10 hingga 15 kaki persegi.

Katanya, menerusi kios bagi Pakej Korporat UK Ice Blendz syarikat menyediakan modal berbayar dan produk dibekalkan selain memberi latihan serta bimbingan bagi memastikan perniagaan berjaya.
“Tahun ini, kami menyasarkan membuka 10 kios lengkap di pusat beli-belah terkemuka di Malaysia dengan lokasi permulaan di sekitar Lembah Klang dan kemudian ke Pantai Timur, Terengganu, Pahang dan Kelantan berikutan sudah mendapat permintaan.

“Jadi sesiapa yang berminat boleh menghubungi kami untuk usaha sama ini dan selain itu sempena lapan tahun UK Ice Blendz, kami menyediakan promosi diskaun sehingga tiga peratus jika mengambil tiga pakej serentak iaitu Pakej Mudah dengan modal serendah RM2,999,” katanya.

Menurutnya, setakat ini UK Ice Blendz sudah mempunyai 1,800 rakan niaga di seluruh negara termasuk Sabah dan Sarawak. Malah, pihaknya turut bekerjasama dengan Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan Malaysia (CIDB) bagi memberi peluang kepada kakitangan koperasinya memulakan perniagaan.

Ahmad Muzakkir berkata, pihaknya juga mendapat kerjasama daripada Tekun Nasional Berhad untuk memberi pembiayaan bagi membantu golongan miskin dan ibu tunggal yang ingin menjana pendapatan dengan berniaga UK Ice Blendz.

“Kerjasama dengan Tekun Nasional adalah di bawah program Azam Tani dan ia masih terbuka kepada sesiapa yang layak dan mahu menjadi usahawan UK Ice Blendz dan sekarang kita sudah ada 15 rakan niaga menerusi program ini. Khalayak sasaran utama adalah bagi mereka yang berpendapatan rendah.
“Konsep perniagaan UK Ice Blendz sangat mudah dan mampu menjana pendapatan lumayan dan kami juga akan perluaskan UK Ice Blendz ke institusi tempatan awam di seluruh negara. Untuk maklumat lanjut boleh melayari www.ukiceblendz.net atau e-mel kepada ukiceblendz@yahoo.com,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya mengalukan mana-mana sekolah yang ingin membuka kios UK Ice Blendz dengan memberi diskaun tiga peratus untuk pakej lengkap.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Salur RM100j

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/SalurRM100j/Article/index_html

Published: on 07 March 2012
Oleh Rabi ‘Atul ‘Adawiyah Ismail
rabiatul@hmetro.com.my

RASMI...Abdul Taib (tiga dari kanan) menekan simbol Teraju sebagai  pelancaran Teraju@koridor Sarawak sambil disaksikan Nor Mohamed (dua dari kanan).
RASMI...Abdul Taib (tiga dari kanan) 
menekan simbol Teraju sebagai 
 pelancaran Teraju@koridor Sarawak 
sambil disaksikan Nor Mohamed 
(dua dari kanan). 
 
 
UNIT Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju) melalui Dana Mudah Cara memperuntukkan RM100 juta daripada RM2 bilion sebagai modal permulaan bagi membiayai inisiatif pembangunan syarikat Bumiputera di Sarawak dalam tempoh dua tahun akan datang.
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop berkata, bagi memastikan kelancaran projek, Teraju@koridor Sarawak di Kuching diwujudkan sebagai pelengkap kepada lima koridor ekonomi seluruh Malaysia iaitu di Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara, Wilayah Iskandar Malaysia, SDC Sabah dan Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (Ecer).

Menurutnya bagi Teraju@Koridor Sarawak, kerajaan negeri sudah mengenal pasti beberapa sektor utama yang berprestasi tinggi seperti pemborongan dan peruncitan, pelancongan, industri makanan, sistem bangunan perindustrian dan tenaga diperbaharui.
“Dengan panduan sedia ada, Teraju bakal membantu kerajaan negeri meningkatkan penyertaan golongan Bumiputera dalam bidang itu secara efektif.

“Walaupun baru dilancarkan di negeri ini, program teras Teraju yang bertujuan mengenal pasti syarikat Bumiputera berprestasi tinggi dan berpotensi mencapai pertumbuhan baik sepanjang tempoh lima tahun kini berjaya menarik sebanyak 80 syarikat.

“Sebanyak 1,100 syarikat dijangka menyertai program teras menjelang 2012 dengan kerjasama agensi kerajaan dan sektor swasta untuk memudahkan peluang perniagaan dan pilihan pembiayaan,” katanya pada majlis pelancaran Kongres Ekonomi Bumiputera Sarawak ke-5 di Kuching, Sarawak, semalam.

Pelancarannya disempurnakan Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. Turut hadir, Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Teraju, Husni Salleh.

Nor Mohamed berkata, Teraju turut mempunyai inisiatif bersama Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) ‘Prosper Teras’ untuk membantu usahawan Bumiputera di dalam peruncitan.
Katanya, pencapaian syarikat di Sarawak amat menggalakkan dan sehingga kini sudah mempunyai lima penyertaan dari seluruh negeri.

“Usahawan di negeri ini perlu mengetahui dengan lebih lanjut program dan inisiatif Teraju yang dapat mempertingkatkan prestasi penyertaan usahawan Bumiputera dalam ekonomi yang lebih baik dalam peringkat global,” katanya.

Wawasanita pasar produk di Sogo

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/WawasanitapasarprodukdiSogo/Article/index_html

Published: on 07 March 2012

PERSATUAN Usahawan Wawasan Wanita Malaysia (Wawasanita), berhasrat memasarkan produk usahawan di bawah kendaliannya di kompleks beli-belah tempatan, Sogo Kuala Lumpur, dalam tempoh tiga bulan lagi.
Presidennya, Noor Hayati Ab Rahman berkata, program dinamakan Dari Soho ke Sogo itu adalah satu usaha dijalankan dengan kerjasama Shamshul Smart Ventures bagi memperkasakan konsep keusahawanan rumah kecil pejabat kecil (Soho). “Melalui program ini, ahli Wawasanita akan dilatih mempelajari modul perniagaan serta teknik pemasaran yang betul bagi mendidik mereka memikat pelanggan dan menempatkan produk di lokasi yang tepat,” katanya.

Menurutnya, selain Sogo, pihaknya turut mengintai peluang memasarkan produk di beberapa lokasi lain antaranya rangkaian kedai Mesra Petronas, Tesco, Jusco dan Carrefour dalam tempoh enam bulan akan datang. “Buat masa ini, kami dalam proses memastikan usahawan dapat menjana kapasiti yang diperlukan untuk memenuhi kehendak pasar raya ini,” katanya selepas majlis menandatangani perjanjian persefahaman (MoU) dengan rakan strategik di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.
Hadir sama, Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Menurutnya, persatuan meletakkan sasaran untuk melatih lebih 120 usahawan di bawah program selama setahun itu. “Bagi usahawan yang mahu menjalankan perniagaan dari rumah, mereka boleh mengambil bahagian dalam Soho Wellness Hub, sebuah perniagaan kecantikan dan kesihatan, hasil daripada perkongsian kami dengan Agel Malaysia dan Zazen Health Solutions,” katanya.

Noor Hayati berkata, melalui program Dari Soho ke Sogo itu, semua ahli berdaftar dengan Wawasanita berpeluang menempatkan produk mereka di Sogo dan ia dilakukan secara bergilir.

“Buat permulaan, setiap produk akan ditempatkan dalam tempoh masa yang diberikan dan sekiranya produk berkenaan mendapat sambutan baik di kalangan pelanggan, maka ia akan diberikan ruang khas dengan kadar bayaran minimum,” katanya.

Menurutnya, selain makanan, koleksi pakaian juga antara produk yang akan dipasarkan di pusat beli-belah berkenaan dan ia dijangka dimulakan menjelang Ramadan nanti.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Koperasi bantu biayai Tukar

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/KoperasibantubiayaiTukar/Article/index_html

Published: on 06 March 2012

KEMENTERIAN Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK) menyasarkan sebanyak 500 peruncit di seluruh negara menyertai program Transformasi Kedai Runcit (Tukar) tahun ini.
Sehingga kini, sebanyak 49 kedai runcit sudah menyertai program tersebut.

Ketua Penolong Pengarah KPDNKK Putrajaya, Nor Azhar Manap berkata program Tukar itu menarik 519 peruncit yang menyaksikan jualan masing-masing meningkat antara 10 peratus sehingga 200 peratus mengikut lokasi.
“KPDNKK bercadang untuk mengadakan satu sistem baru bagi permohonan program Tukar yang ditolak iaitu kaedah pinjaman daripada koperasi bagi mendapatkan pembiayaan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan seminar latihan dan pembangunan Tukar yang dikendalikan Aeon Co (M) Bhd di Seberang Prai City di Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang semalam.

Menurut Nor Azhar, kementerian juga akan menyemak semula penyertaan yang ditolak, sambil menambah sebanyak 2,000 permohonan diterima tahun lalu, tetapi hanya 519 yang layak mendapat pinjaman.

Inisiatif ini adalah kerjasama antara kerajaan, pengendali pasar raya besar seperti Carrefour, Tesco, Sunshine, Mydin dan Aeon untuk memodenkan kedai runcit tradisional. - Bernama

Monday, March 5, 2012

Women, be game changers!

Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/SMEWOM/Article/index_html

Published: on 05 March 2012

WOMEN making the headlines are not something unusual nowadays. I couldn't agree more with the adage "the hand that shakes the cradle will shake the world".


Over generations, women have been the centre of family life, which transcends to society. Today, women are empowered as key change agents that are vital to enhance the economic, social and political development. When a woman's life is changed positively, the family benefits, the community benefits, the country benefits and the world benefits.

Around the globe, more and more women are now at the helm of politics and hold key positions in business. These women who made it big have brought changes in laws and the way business is conducted, particularly in the context of gender equality.

During the 2nd Annual Women in Leadership Forum Asia, which SME Corp partnered with Peniagawati and Naseba on February 16 and 17 recently, I had the privilege to speak alongside a line-up of influential women leaders from across Asia discussing the key challenges women are facing today and showcased how gender diversity can be incorporated in their corporation's long-term growth. It is overwhelming to speak to over 250 distinguished business women from Australia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as this shows that women making their mark in both the public and private sectors have increased significantly over the last two decades.

It is time we encourage women to step in and break the pattern of the mundane business environment. Most importantly, to advance further, women must be able to do things they think they can't do. More often than not, women don't realise that they naturally possess inherent leadership qualities that can be translated into sound leadership in business. The necessary skills to be a good leader are actually within themselves.

Women tend to be more assertive and persuasive, have a stronger need to get things done and are more willing to take risks compared to their male counterparts. These qualities are the key indicators of being great leaders - which unfortunately, most women don't realise.

We are very familiar with names such as Steve Jobs, the man who turned the creative industry upside down. After Apple, our world was never the same again. Who would have thought that the youngest inventor was able to create the biggest social network in the world, which has enabled us to stay in touch with more people than ever before! Mark Zuckerberg changed the world by reinventing the way we stay in touch with Facebook. Malaysians must be proud of the man who turned the country's airline industry from 'not everyone can fly' to 'now everyone can fly!'. Tan Sri Tony Fernandes is one of the first to "take a bus into the air". He has succeeded in his dramatic change of career direction to realise his vision of making travel affordable to all.

These people have transformed the global business landscape and our way of life. But what's interesting to note is that nearly all of these game changers are men! We do have prominent women figures such as Oprah Winfrey, the queen of media who uses TV to help us live the best life we can and who created a book club with members reaching into the millions.

Anita Roddick, known as one of the world's most successful retailers of cosmetics and cosmetic-related products, saw a single shop flourish into an international empire and proved that a company can gain its loyal customers by simply providing product information rather than employing high-powered advertising and high-pressure selling. These successful women can be an inspiration to other women to be game changers.

Let me share with you some of the qualities possessed by women who have changed their business landscape.

First and foremost, it is crucial for a woman to be ambitious and goal-oriented! She must have a clear vision that is ambitious but realistic and attainable.

Don't call yourself a businesswoman if you don't have the confidence. A successful businesswoman must have a healthy level of self confidence and believes in her ability and skills. She looks upon mistakes or criticism as opportunities for improvement.

Innovation is the talk of the town and technology and innovation have shaped our lives. A businesswoman should be able to create a modern twist to the traditional ways in running a business and be technologically savvy.

Finally, the key to business success is being able to network and collaborate with others. Remember ladies, you can't grow a business if you don't communicate, connect, consult and collaborate!

I'd like to borrow the words of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Malaysian Prime Minister. She said "in order to become successful and influential, women must overcome the psychological barriers of their own making, whilst mindsets and conventions evolve to accommodate the rising influence of women, and women too must strive harder to form stronger, broader and robust support networks".

At this juncture, we are very fortunate to have our First Lady who is very passionate about empowering women in business. Once again, this year Rosmah will lead a bigger delegation of 80 of our distinguished businesswomen to the Global Summit of Women (GSW) 2012 in Athens, Greece, from May 30 to June 2.

I believe the excitement in Athens will not just end there as Malaysia will open its doors to women from every corner of the world, uniting them in Kuala Lumpur to share winning strategies towards advancing women in economy as we proudly host the GSW 2013. An Event not to be missed by our women entrepreneurs!

So women! Be a game changer and elevate your businesses to a new and exciting level. Don't be satisfied with just getting by; make it your mission to become the best of the best and one of the greatest to ever do it.

Having said all these, who is up for the challenge?

Datuk Hafsah Hashim is the CEO of SME Corp Malaysia

Jana transaksi RM1b

Source From (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/JanatransaksiRM1b/Article/index_html

Published: on 05 March 2012

SEJAK 10 tahun lalu, Persatuan Usahawan Teknologi Malaysia (TeAM) membantu lebih 2,000 usahawan di negara ini membangun dan memasarkan produk serta perkhidmatan masing-masing.
Bagaimanapun, bermula tahun ini, persatuan itu lebih memfokuskan membantu usahawan teknologi terutama di kalangan ahlinya menembusi pasaran domestik dan antarabangsa berbanding aspek pembangunan produk.
Ikuti temu bual antara wartawan Bisnes Metro, Helmy Abd Rahman dengan Presiden TeAM, Aziz Ismail, mengenai pelbagai usaha dan perancangan yang bakal dilaksanakan bagi memastikan industri berkaitan teknologi di negara ini terus membangun secara berterusan.


BOLEH saudara ceritakan secara ringkas latar belakang dan misi TeAM?
TeAM diwujudkan sekumpulan teknopreneur atau usahawan teknologi Malaysia bertujuan meluaskan capaian perniagaan bagi golongan usahawan berkaitan teknologi, sekali gus membantu perkembangan ekonomi digital di negara ini.

Keahlian TeAm terbuka kepada mana-mana individu dan syarikat yang berdaftar di Malaysia. Keahlian terbahagi kepada empat jenis iaitu ahli biasa, ahli bersekutu, ahli kehormat dan ahli pelajar.

Sejak ditubuhkan, pembabitan TeAM untuk mempercepatkan pertumbuhan dan pembangunan industri ICT di Malaysia menunjukkan hasil memberangsangkan antaranya menerusi penganjuran bersama Program Pelaburan Cradle (CIP), pengenalan program usahawan, mengadakan klinik TeAM dan mengadakan pakatan kerjasama dengan pelbagai agensi.

Pada masa sama, TeAM memainkan peranan aktif dalam usaha membangunkan industri ICT bagi menyokong inisiatif diperkenalkan kerajaan untuk menjadikan Malaysia sebagai pemain utama sektor ICT dan bioteknologi di rantau ini.

Misi kami ialah berperanan sebagai pemikir dan suara bagi usahawan teknologi terutama membabitkan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) di Malaysia; untuk menyediakan landasan dan memudahkan pembangunan profesional di kalangan ahli dan industri secara amnya; mendidik komuniti dan menyatukan jurang digital serta membantu pembangunan berasaskan ekonomi digital di negara ini.

Untuk tahun ini, boleh saudara jelaskan bentuk bantuan dan program yang sudah diatur?

Bermula tahun ini, kami memberi fokus membantu mereka menembusi pasaran supaya apa yang mereka usahakan tidak terhenti di tengah jalan berbanding sebelum ini.
Kami membantu ramai usahawan teknologi dalam aspek pembangunan produk.

Antara program dijalankan ialah menganjurkan misi dagang mengembangkan capaian niaga ahli TeAM ke empat negara iaitu Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam serta Bangladesh sepanjang tahun ini yang dijangka mampu menjana transaksi keseluruhan kira-kira RM1 bilion hasil jualan produk dan penawaran perkhidmatan.

Untuk setiap negara, kami menganggarkan mampu menjana antara RM200 juta dan RM300 juta. Kami membawa 35 syarikat ke setiap negara yang disebutkan dan bekerjasama dengan Perbadanan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia (Matrade) bagi tujuan itu.

Uniknya, dalam misi dagang yang bakal dilaksanakan ini, setiap peserta diperkenalkan dan dilatih pakar dari empat negara terbabit untuk memastikan kadar kejayaan lebih tinggi ketika mengembangkan perniagaan ke negara berkenaan.

Selain mendapat bantuan kerajaan dan persatuan dalam misi dagang ke luar negara, banyak daripada kalangan ahli kami yang mengambil inisiatif sendiri mengadakan pakatan bagi mengembangkan perniagaan.

Dengan menjadikan TeAM sebagai landasan, terdapat anggota bergabung membentuk konsortium dan meneroka pasaran luar negara.

Selain itu, TeAM memperkenalkan SME Connect, program yang membolehkan penggiat perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) di negara ini mendapatkan perkhidmatan perkomputeran ‘cloud’ bernilai RM1,500 secara percuma.

Kami mengadakan pakatan strategik bersama beberapa agensi kerajaan dan swasta bagi mempromosi dan memudahkan penggiat PKS menggunakan perkhidmatan ini.

Paling istimewa, SME Connect disediakan khusus untuk pengusaha PKS di seluruh Malaysia tanpa bayaran.

Mereka yang menyertai program ini boleh menggunakan perkhidmatan ‘cloud untuk enam bulan. Program ini disediakan sejak enam bulan lalu secara tidak rasmi dan dijangka dilancarkan bulan ini.

Bagaimana saudara melihat potensi pembangunan industri keusahawanan teknologi bagi tahun ini?

Secara dasarnya, untuk tahun ini kami menjangkakan industri keusahawanan teknologi akan lebih baik berbanding 2011. Keyakinan ini didorong pelaksanaan pelbagai program serta inisiatif diperkenalkan kerajaan antaranya Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP) dan Program Transformasi Kerajaan (GTP).

Menerusi inisiatif ini, tentunya membabitkan perbelanjaan kerajaan yang lebih besar berbanding tahun lalu terutama dalam industri.

Selain ICT, apa lagi sektor yang turut dibantu TeAM?

Kami turut mempunyai ahli di kalangan penggiat industri bioteknologi, bagaimanapun jumlahnya tidak seramai mereka yang berkecimpung dalam ICT.