SMEs Need To Be Business Savvy And Venture Into New Markets, Says Rafidah

PETALING JAYA, March 18 (Bernama) -- Small medium enterprises (SMEs) must be business savvy as well as smart in reaching out to new markets to remain competitive, said former Minister of International Trade and Industry, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=935315
Published: March 19, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/smere/Article/
Published: March 19, 2013

She said the SMEs need also be market drivers, not just followers.

"For example Myanmar, which is just opening up its market. SMEs must rush to grab the opportunities available, while researching the market there," she added.

Rafidah said this in her speech at the Bicara Perdana programme organised by SME Corp and the Traders and Entrepreneurs Association Malaysia (Perdasama).

She said SMEs which are conscious of the local, regional and global environment profile, will quickly adapt themselves, while understanding the workings of the market and its users.

"The government has opened up markets and is providing various initiatives. SMEs need to do the follow-up. If the market expands, business can also grow," she added.

More than 150 Bumiputera SMEs from various industries attended the Bicara Perdana programme with Rafidah, and was aimed at enabling participants to receive insights and strategies on being successful in the business world.

Themed, "Innovation & Transformation of SMEs in facing Global Challenges", the programme saw the launch of P-Shoppe, a portal created to serve as a channel for promoting and advertising business products of Perdasama members.

-- BERNAMA