Keunikan Pusat Kraftangan Sabah

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Sabah_&_Sarawak/20120830/wb_01/Keunikan-Pusat-Kraftangan-Sabah

Published: August 30, 2012, 2012
Oleh HISYAMUDDIN AYUB
utusansabah@utusan.com.my

Dua pengunjung bergambar kenangan bersama lukisan batik yang 

dipotretkan wajah Perdana Menteri dan isteri, Datin Seri Rosmah 

Mansor di Pusat Kraftangan Sabah, baru-baru ini.

KENINGAU 29 Ogos - Keikhlasan kerajaan memperjuangkan nasib golongan usahawan dan peneraju industri kecil dan sederhana (IKS) dalam bidang kraf tangan di kawasan pedalaman terbukti dengan pembinaan Pusat Kraftangan Sabah (PKS).

Pembinaan kompleks PKS yang menelan kos RM30 juta itu dilihat bertepatan kerana Sabah merupakan antara pengeluar utama pelbagai barangan kraf tangan yang unik dan cantik.

Inisiatif pembinaan PKS merupakan komitmen berterusan Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah untuk melihat penduduk di luar bandar mencapai satu taraf pendapatan yang membanggakan sekali gus keluar daripada belenggu kemiskinan.

PKS bukan sahaja bertindak sebagai pusat pengumpulan barangan kraf tangan, malah ia juga menyediakan latihan dan kursus kepada orang ramai yang ingin menceburi bidang tersebut.

Menjayakan lagi program tersebut, Kerajaan Persekutuan turut memperuntukkan dana sebanyak RM20 juta bagi melestarikan industri kraf tangan di negeri ini.

Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Musa Aman berkata, selaras dengan saranan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk membudayakan kreativiti dan inovasi, industri kraf tangan merupakan peluang terbaik kepada Sabah untuk merealisasikan hasrat tersebut.

Musa yang juga Pengerusi Lembaga Pemegang Amanah Yayasan Sabah berkata, negeri itu yang kaya dengan hasil budaya seharusnya memanfaat kelebihan pembinaan pusat kraf tangan itu dengan sebaiknya.

Katanya, selain menjadi pusat latihan dan pemasaran hasil kraf tangan, PKS juga bakal menjadi daya tarikan baru pelancongan di kawasan pedalaman selain keindahan alam semulajadi dan kekayaan tradisi.

Menurutnya, PKS akan menjana peningkatan sosioekonomi rakyat dengan mewujudkan banyak peluang pekerjaan dan perniagaan seterusnya merancakkan lagi pertumbuhan ekonomi negeri.

"Ingin saya tekanan bahawa pusat kraf tangan yang dibina di Keningau ini bukan sahaja untuk kemudahan rakyat di kawasan pedalaman, tetapi akan memberi manfaat besar kepada industri kraf tangan negara.

"Sebagai sebuah kerajaan yang prihatin dan bertanggungjawab, pembinaan pusat kraf tangan ini juga merupakan bukti komitmen dan iltizam Barisan Nasional membela nasib rakyat," katanya pada majlis perasmian pusat itu oleh Perdana Menteri Razak baru-baru ini.

Musa berkata, menjadikan industri kraf tangan sebagai punca pendapatan, penubuhan PKS bakal memberi impak besar dan limpahan kepada pembangunan ekonomi di Keningau dan kawasan sekitarnya.

Katanya, ia bukan sahaja akan memberi kesan kepada pembangunan industri kraf tangan tempatan, ia juga bakal melonjakkan Sabah sebagai destinasi pelancongan terkemuka di negara ini.

Dibina bagi menjadi pusat pembangunan kraf tangan warisan etnik negeri Sabah, PKS juga bakal berfungsi sebagai pusat pengumpulan, latihan, pemasaran serta penyelidikan dan pembangunan industri kraf tangan negara.

Bekerjasama dengan agensi lain ke arah pembangunan dan promosi kraf tangan di dalam dan luar negara, ia juga menyokong usaha Kerajaan Persekutuan dalam merealisasikan konsep Satu Daerah Satu Industri.

Dalam tempoh terdekat, PKS berperanan sebagai pusat latihan dalam pembangunan sumber manusia yang terlatih dan profesional ke arah peningkatan kualiti kraf tangan.

Tiga aspek yang diberi penekanan adalah Pengurusan Kraftangan dan Kepimpinan Keusahawanan, Reka Bentuk Kraf dan Aplikasi Mesin dan Pembangunan Kesenian.

Di bawah program Kepimpinan Usahawan, latihan kemahiran bagi pengusaha kraf tangan akan dipertingkatkan untuk mencapai taraf Adiguru Kraf dan seterusnya berperanan sebagai jurulatih kraf kepada para pelatih dalam bengkel, seminar dan ceramah.

Sementara itu, program Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan (P&P) melibatkan dokumentasi dan penyelidikan tentang sumber-sumber semulajadi dan bukan semulajadi yang digunakan dalam penghasilan produk kraf tangan akan diperhebatkan.

Aktiviti P&P menjurus kepada usaha menambah baik hasil kraf tangan yang meliputi aspek kualiti, reka bentuk kontemporari, ketahanan, motif dan corak serta pemasaran produk.

Bagi melengkapkan lagi fungsi PKS, ia juga akan dijadikan sebagai pusat untuk acara kebudayaan, hari promosi kraf tangan, demonstrasi pembuatan kraf, ekspo, pameran perdagangan dan pementasan.

Cadang turunkan cukai korporat

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20120830/ek_05/Cadang-turunkan-cukai-korporat

Published: August 30, 2012, 2012
Oleh NORLAILI ABD. RAHMAN
ekonomi@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Ogos - Dewan Perniagaan dan Industri Cina Malaysia (ACCCIM) mengharapkan cukai korporat diturunkan kepada 22 peratus berbanding 25 peratus pada pembentangan Bajet 2013 September ini.

Presidennya, Datuk Lim Kok Cheong berkata, secara relatifnya cukai korporat di negara ini masih tinggi berbanding negara-negara jiran.

Jelas Kok Cheong, sekiranya kadar baharu diperkenalkan, ia bakal membantu menarik lebih banyak pelaburan ke Malaysia di samping menggalakkan pelaburan semula oleh pelabur tempatan.
“Cukai korporat di Malaysia terlalu tinggi.

“Kami mengharapkan kerajaan menurunkan cukai korporat secara beransur-ansur, mungkin 22 peratus pada Bajet 2013 dan 17 peratus untuk jangka masa panjang," katanya pada sidang akhbar mengumumkan hasil kaji selidik berhubung situasi ekonomi di Malaysia pada separuh pertama 2012, di sini hari ini.

Selain cukai korporat, ACCCIM turut meminta kerajaan melihat kadar standard bagi cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) yang seharusnya bermula dari kadar terendah yang paling munasabah.

Malah persatuan itu juga menggesa kerajaan untuk mereka dan mengumumkan jadual pelaksanaan GST serta memberi tempoh sekurang-kurangnya 18 bulan bagi membolehkan para usahawan dan ahli perniagaan membuat persiapan dan menyertai latihan yang sepatutnya.

“Ini merupakan perkara penting untuk memastikan kos melaksanakan perniagaan tidak akan meningkat," ujarnya lagi.

Menurut Kok Cheong, menerusi kaji selidik yang dijalankan persatuan tersebut, ahli-ahli perniagaan tempatan amat rungsing dengan peningkatan kos perniagaan terutama kos operasi dan bahan mentah.

Tambahan pula dengan peningkatan satu peratus sumbangan Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) bagi pekerja bergaji RM5,000 dan ke bawah serta pelaksanaan gaji minimum yang didakwa bakal menjejaskan prestasi perniagaan terutama kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS).

Hasil kaji selidik tersebut mengunjurkan prestasi ekonomi bakal lembap pada tahun ini sehinggalah pada 2013.

Namun ia optimis petunjuk positif bakal muncul pada 2014.

MFA aims to produce more entrepreneurs

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

Published: August 29, 2012



KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) is encouraging young people to become entrepreneurs by setting up micro franchises for local brands at a cost as low as RM50,000.

MFA secretary-general Mohamad Shukri Salleh said this is part of the association's aim to produce more entrepreneurs for both local and international products.

"The government will help those who are interested in this industry, and so far we have more than 600 franchises, while some 48 of our local brands can be seen in 50 different countries.

"The MFA is aiming for local products to penetrate further into four countries namely Indonesia, India, China and the Middle East," he said at a media briefing here yesterday on MFA's 15th Malaysia Franchise Awards 2012 which will be held on October 23.

Among the local products that have established franchises in international markets are Secret Recipe, Marrybrown and Nelson's, he added.

The organising chairman of the awards Datuk Dr Manjit Singh Sachdev said nominations for the awards officially opened yesterday and will close on September 28 for local franchise industry players to submit entries in five categories: Franchise of the Year, Franchise System Category, Open Category, Franchise Category and Special Category.

"We have an independent committee to judge all these franchises, including Sirim, Malaysia Productivity Corp, representatives from the banking sector, Intellectual Property Corp and university professors and lecturers," he said. Bernama

MFA iktiraf pencapaian usahawan francais

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20120829/ek_01/MFA-iktiraf-pencapaian-usahawan-francais

Published: August 29, 2012

Manjit Singh Sachdev (dua dari kanan) bersama Richard Ong Thiam Boon (kanan), 

Mohd Hizam Hanafiah dan Mohamad Shukri Salleh (kiri) menunjukkan contoh 

piala AFM 2012 pada majlis pengenalan anugerah berkenaan, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Ogos - Persatuan Francais Malaysia (MFA) akan menganjurkan Anugerah Francais Malaysia (AFM) 2012 pada 23 Oktober depan bagi mengiktiraf pencapaian dan sumbangan pemain industri berkenaan.

Pengerusi AFM, Datuk Manjit Singh Sachdev berkata, penganjuran anugerah kali ke-15 ini penting bagi menghargai usaha yang telah dilakukan untuk mengukuhkan industri francais bukan sahaja di Malaysia malah di luar negara.

"AFM akan menjadi galakan kepada mereka untuk berusaha lebih gigih bagi mencapai matlamat masing-masing.

"Anugerah ini sangat telus dan pemenang dipilih oleh hakim berkecuali yang terdiri daripada golongan profesional dan akademik yang tiada kaitan dengan industri francais bagi mengekalkan prestijnya," katanya pada sidang akhbar pengenalan penganjuran AFM 2012 di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir, Pengerusi Bersama AFM, Richard Ong Thiam Boon, Ahli Jawatankuasa MFA, Mohamad Shukri Salleh dan Pengerusi Anugerah AFM, Mohd Hizam Hanafiah.

AFM 2012 menawarkan lima kategori anugerah iaitu keseluruhan, sistem francais, terbuka, francaisi dan khas.

Anugerah ini terbuka kepada semua pemain industri francais sama ada menjadi ahli MFA atau tidak dan permohonan boleh dilakukan bermula hari ini sehingga 28 September ini melalui MFA.

AFM 2012 akan dilangsungkan di Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Petaling Jaya dan akan disempurnakan oleh Penaung MFA, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Setiausaha Agung MFA Mohamad Shukri Salleh berkata, persatuan menggalakkan lebih ramai golongan muda menjadi usahawan dengan menubuhkan francais mikro bagi jenama tempatan pada kos sehingga serendah RM50,000.

Beliau berkata, ia merupakan sebahagian daripada matlamat persatuan itu untuk melahirkan lebih ramai usahawan bagi produk tempatan dan juga antarabangsa.

"Kerajaan akan membantu mereka yang berminat dalam industri ini, dan setakat ini kami memiliki lebih daripada 600 francais, manakala kira-kira 48 jenama tempatan kita boleh di dapati di 50 negara berbeza," katanya.

Katanya, MFA juga menyasar produk tempatan menembusi dengan lebih meluas lagi di empat negara iaitu Indonesia, India, China dan Asia Barat.

Antara produk tempatan yang telah membentuk francais di pasaran antarabangsa ialah Secret Recipe, Marry Brown dan Nelson's.

MFA galak lebih ramai golongan muda jadi usahawan

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/mfa-galak-lebih-ramai-golongan-muda-jadi-usahawan-1.79745

Published: August 29, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR - Persatuan Francais Malaysia (MFA) menggalakkan lebih ramai golongan muda menjadi usahawan dengan menubuhkan francais mikro bagi jenama tempatan pada kos sehingga serendah RM50,000.
  
Setiausaha Agung MFA Mohamad Shukri Salleh berkata ini merupakan sebahagian daripada matlamat persatuan itu untuk melahirkan lebih ramai usahawan bagi produk tempatan dan juga antarabangsa.
  
"Kerajaan akan membantu mereka yang berminat dalam industri ini, dan setakat ini kami memiliki lebih daripada 600 francais, manakala kira-kira 48 jenama tempatan kita boleh di dapati di 50 negara berbeza.
  
"MFA juga menyasar produk tempatan menembusi dengan lebih meluas lagi di empat negara iaitu Indonesia, India, China dan Timur Tengah," katanya pada taklimat media mengenai Anugerah Francais Malaysia 2012 Ke-15 MFA yang akan diadakan pada 23 Okt depan.
  
Antara produk tempatan yang telah membentuk francais di pasaran antarabangsa ialah Secret Recipe, Marry Brown dan Nelson's, katanya.
  
Pengerusi Penganjur anugerah itu, Datuk Dr Manjit Singh Sachdev berkata pencalonan bagi anugerah tersebut dibuka secara rasmi hari ini dan akan ditutup pada 28 September bagi peserta industri francais tempatan untuk menyerahkan penyertaan dalam lima kategori: Francasis Terbaik Tahun Ini, Kategori Sistem Francais, Kategori Terbuka, Kategori Francais dan Kategori Khas.
  
"Kami mempunyai jawatankuasa bebas untuk menilai semua francais ini termasuk Sirim, Perbadanan Produktiviti Malaysia, wakil daripada sektor perbankan, Perbadanan Harta Intelektual dan profesor serta pensyarah daripada universiti," katanya.  - Bernama

Kategori baru anugerah francais diperkenal

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

Published: August 29, 2012

PERSATUAN Francais Malaysia (MFA) terus mengiktiraf mereka yang menyumbang ke arah membantu mewujudkan industri francais apabila mewujudkan kategori terbaru sempena Anugerah Francais Malaysia 2012 (AFM) bagi memberi peluang pengiktirafan kepada lebih ramai usahawan francais.

Pengerusi Penganjuran AFM, Datuk Dr Manjit Singh Sachdev berkata, kategori terbuka yang baru diperkenalkan itu membabitkan Majikan Francais Terbaik, Inovasi Francais Terbaik dan Tanggungjawab Sosial Korporat.

Katanya, malam AFM 2012 yang akan disempurnakan Penaung MFA, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad pada 23 Oktober di Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa itu adalah kali ke-15 dianjurkan MFA, sekali gus memperlihatkan perkembangan positif perniagaan francais di Malaysia meskipun semasa kelembapan ekonomi.

“Ini sekali gus membuktikan konsep perniagaan francais diterima pakai semua pihak kerana mempunyai sistem kukuh dan mampu berdaya saing.

“Pengiktirafan anugerah ini juga terbuka kepada semua pemain industri francais di seluruh Malaysia sama ada mereka ahli MFA ataupun tidak dan paling penting peserta akan dinilai melalui beberapa kriteria serta prestasi yang dicapai,” katanya pada sidang media di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Usahawan Bimbingan Mardi Di Terengganu Berjaya Tingkatkan Pendapatan

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/bm/newsgeneral.php?id=690441

Published: August 29, 2012

KUALA TERENGGANU, 28 Ogos (Bernama) -- Usahawan program bimbingan Institut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (Mardi) Terengganu bersyukur kerana pendapatan mereka meningkat sehingga 30 peratus melalui bimbingan dan kemudahan yang disediakan badan itu.

Seorang usahawan satar dan otak-otak, Mohd Sahir Mohd Noh yang memanfaatkan sepenuh kemudahan makmal 'test bed' Mardi di sini berkata beliau sebelum ini menggunakan cara tradisional untuk menjual satar dan otak-otak keluarannya.

"Dahulu saya hanya dapat menjual kira-kira 1,000 biji satar dan otak-otak sahaja setiap hari, namun dengan menggunakan kemudahan mesin berteknologi tinggi di makmal test bed Mardi ini, saya boleh menghasilkan 2,000 biji setiap kali datang ke sini.

"Saya datang bersama enam pekerja untuk memproses 56 kilogram adunan isi ikan selama dua hari setiap minggu dan menyimpan kesemua produk yang telah siap dalam bilik sejuk beku di sini," katanya kepada Bernama ketika ditemui di makmal 'test bed' Mardi di Manir dekat sini, Selasa.

'Test Bed' merupakan makmal teknologi pemprosesan makanan berasaskan ikan yang dilengkapi lapan jenis mesin canggih selain bilik sejuk beku untuk kemudahan pengeluaran berskala kecil bagi produk makanan terpilih.

-- BERNAMA

Ramai Pengusaha Produk Ikan Dilahirkan Melalui 'Test Bed' Mardi Di Terengganu

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/bm/newsgeneral.php?id=690434

Published: August 29, 2012

KUALA TERENGGANU, 28 Ogos (Bernama) -- Institut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (Mardi) di Terengganu yakin dapat melahirkan lebih ramai pengusaha produk berasaskan ikan untuk menembusi pasaran tempatan dan antarabangsa melalui kemudahan makmal 'test bed'.

'Test bed' merupakan makmal teknologi pemprosesan makanan berasaskan ikan yang dilengkapi peralatan canggih serta bilik sejuk beku untuk melicinkan pengeluaran beberapa jenis produk makanan terpilih.

Pengarahnya Hassan Said berkata makmal 'test bed' Mardi di Kuala Terengganu kini mengeluarkan produk satar, otak-otak, keropok lekor, keropok keping dan nuget ikan oleh usahawan tempatan.

"Ada usahawan yang sedang dalam peringkat perbincangan akhir membekalkan produk ke sebuah pasar raya di bandar ini dan ia satu kejayaan kerana dapat mengeluarkan kapasiti produk berskala besar melalui penggunaan mesin berteknologi tinggi," katanya ketika ditemui Bernama di sini Selasa.

Buat masa ini, Mardi mempunyai sembilan makmal 'test bed' di seluruh negara dengan makmal di Kuala Terengganu dan Sabah memfokuskan kepada pengeluaran produk berasaskan ikan.

-- BERNAMA

Ensuring SMEs survive natural calamities

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/rup270/Article/

Published: August 28, 2012
By Rupa Damodaran



SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial part in the Pacific Rim economies but their tenacity in the global production chain is threatened by natural disasters.

Taiwan has taken the lead in improving the "natural disaster resilience" of SMEs in the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) grouping which includes Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and the US.

It has hosted a series of meetings under the multi-year project which will improve trade and investment and this included business continuity plans for SMEs when faced with disasters.

SMEs are particularly vulnerable in the global supply chain and this was seen in Japan and Thailand.
Japan's massive earthquake and Thailand's floods last year had affected the auto-parts, logistics and information and communication technology industries.

Dr Wayne Chen from the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research said Taiwan had proposed the Apec Start-up Accelerator initiative to create a better environment for start-ups and entrepreneurs in the region.

This was successfully endorsed by the SME ministerial meeting, he said in a briefing to visiting Apec journalists here recently.

Earlier this month, SME ministers who met at St Petersburg in Russia reaffirmed the need to address trade and investment barriers for SMES as well as micro enterprises (MEs), corruption which imposes high costs, protection of intellectual property rights and a common information resource to foster innovation development.

Apec leaders will meet in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 8 and 9.

"We see the need to engage developing economies to future start-up related capacity building activities in the region, and propose the ASA initiative so developing economies can benefit by implementing projects contributing to the ASA initiative to advance the growth of start-ups in the region," Chen said.

Food security has returned to the fore of concern as host Russia places it as a priority topic for the grouping's discussion this year and the 62 action plans which have come into play since 2010, including six from Taiwan.

The six include joint research on post harvest handling of crops, irrigation technology, marketing strategies for indigenous vegetables and ICT early warning signs to mitigate slope land disasters.

Dr Susan Chang, who is director general of the department of international affairs (convenor of Apec food emergency response mechanism), said a virtual cooperation is being earmarked where members pledge food support to those in need of food aid.

"Over the past 10 years, there were 400 natural disasters in the world, of which 60 per cent are in the Apec economies."

Like the numerous Apec economies prone to natural disasters, Taiwan is concerned with the effects of climate change on its produce.

For net agriculture importer Taiwan, agriculture competitiveness has become a priority as it fine-tunes its national policy to revitalise the rural agriculture sector and raise its self sufficiency level from the current 32 per cent.

Not only does the sub-tropic country have an ageing farming society which averages 63 years, but its economies of scale has to be relooked at too, especially the shrinking farm size over the years, said Chang.

The spike in oil prices and food commodity prices have become an additional burden to bear, given its sizeably large annual import packs of feed corn which total 4.5 million tonnes and another 2.5 million tonnes of soya.

Innovation is key to boost growth in all these economies and Taiwan, the 18th largest economy in the world, aims to further streamline its formalities so as to create a barrier-free trading environment.

For one, the Chinese Taipei Customs believes that the "ubiquitous economic and trade network plan" will bring a new dimension with the customs single window system project and cargo movement security project.

International traders benefit from the move to simplify Customs procedures which will lead to a barrier-free clearance environment.

As of end of last year, 14 members including Malaysia had developed their respective national single window system.

Its deputy Finance Minister and concurrent director general of Customs Hwang Ding-Fang said a Customs cooperation agreement was recently signed with mainland China.

"We believe it can enhance trade facilitation and security between both sides and, we hope to be able to cooperate with other Apec economies in this regard in the near future."

Taipei Customs has completed a port-to-port RFID (radio frequency identification) e-Seal pilot programme with Malaysia, as part of efforts to improve the interoperability of the international supply chain.

Digitalisation is an important aspect and one which Apec economies can be proud of, thanks to Taiwan's initiative almost a decade ago.

The Apec Digital Opportunity Centre has reached much support from the others and this has helped to bridge the digital divide.

By 2011, for instance, the project would have set up 89 centres in 10 PMEs or Partner Member Economies which include Malaysia and trained more than 270,000 people.

"We expect to have 100 centres by year-end," said Stanley Wang, who is the secretary-general, adding that disused cargo containers have been used as makeshift teaching centres.

Just as popular as its digital expertise is the Taiwanese healthcare policy ideas.

Apec members are jointly working on strengthening healthcare systems and a recent meeting at St Petersburg attracted a large number of experts, keen on building up their influenza vaccine-related competence.

PKS pemangkin pertumbuhan ekonomi

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/PKSpemangkinpertumbuhanekonomi/Article

Published: August 27, 2012

Pelan induk lapan tahun mampu ubah sektor PKS negara

Baru-baru ini, SME Corp Malaysia telah melancarkan ‘Pelan Induk PKS 2012-2020: Memangkin Pertumbuhan dan Pendapatan’ yang dilihat sebagai pelan 'game changer' bagi sektor perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS).

Dokumen polisi berdasarkan bukti yang mengambil masa 15 bulan untuk disiapkan dan membabitkan kerjasama Bank Dunia itu, mengandungi fakta menarik dan pelan strategik komprehensif untuk tempoh 2012 hingga 2020, bagi PKS dalam semua sektor di Malaysia.

"PKS memainkan peranan amat penting di Malaysia, merangkumi 99.2 peratus daripada perniagaan tempatan”

Ia memaparkan fakta dan ciri-ciri utama PKS di Malaysia dan faktor yang mempengaruhi prestasinya secara keseluruhan.

Tidak dinafikan, PKS memainkan peranan amat penting di Malaysia, merangkumi 99.2 peratus daripada perniagaan tempatan.

Penyumbang utama KDNK
Antara statistik yang dipaparkan dalam dokumen itu, ada dinyatakan bahawa PKS menyumbang 32 peratus kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK), 59 peratus kepada guna tenaga dan 19 peratus eksport Malaysia.
Pada 2020, pelan induk yang dirancang bakal meningkatkan sumbangan PKS kepada 41 peratus daripada KDNK, (di negara maju, lazimnya peratusannya ialah antara 40-60 peratus), 62 peratus daripada guna tenaga dan 25 peratus daripada eksport Malaysia – satu lonjakan yang ketara (dengan purata pertumbuhan tahunan 8.7 peratus) dalam tempoh hanya lapan tahun yang akan memacu Malaysia ke status negara maju berpendapatan tinggi.

Dalam tempoh 2004-2010, PKS telah menunjukkan pertumbuhan menggalakkan pada kadar purata tahunan 6.8 peratus, jauh melebihi purata KDNK keseluruhan 4.9 peratus.

Penemuan kajian menunjukkan produktiviti PKS di Malaysia keseluruhannya adalah rendah berbanding firma besar (dengan nilai hasil purata RM47,000, kira-kira satu pertiga firma besar domestik), dan PKS di negara maju (PKS di Amerika Syarikat dan Singapura masing-masing adalah tujuh kali dan empat kali lebih produktif berbanding PKS tempatan).

Lebih menarik lagi, firma yang menunjukkan pertumbuhan tinggi dan paling pesat berkembang menyumbang 70 peratus daripada KDNK tambahan dan 46 peratus daripada guna tenaga tambahan – bukti bahawa kualiti pertumbuhan syarikat, secara relatif, adalah lebih penting (dari segi KDNK) berbanding bilangan syarikat PKS yang ditubuhkan.

Justeru, salah satu sasaran utama Pelan Induk PKS (yang diakui akan mempunyai impak paling tinggi dalam meningkatkan kadar produktiviti dan tenaga kerja) adalah menambah bilangan firma yang mempunyai pertumbuhan tinggi (ditakrifkan sebagai pertumbuhan purata jualan sebanyak 30 peratus setahun) dan berinovasi tinggi.

Langkah utama yang akan diambil ialah penerapan inovasi dan teknologi yang merangkumi usaha meningkatkan akses kepada sistem inovasi kebangsaan, meningkatkan kadar pengkomersilan dan R&D dan menggiatkan lagi penggunaan teknologi oleh PKS.

Dari segi takrifan pula, PKS bersaiz sederhana dikategorikan sebagai ‘pemacu pertumbuhan’ yang membawa impak pertumbuhan paling tinggi.

Dalam sektor ICT khasnya (yang lazimnya dikenali sebagai sektor yang berinovasi tinggi, tapi dilonggokkan di bawah kategori sektor perkhidmatan), ‘pemacu pertumbuhan’ ditakrifkan sebagai syarikat PKS yang mempunyai jualan tahunan RM1 juta hingga RM5 juta dan mempunyai antara 20 hingga 50 orang pekerja, manakala ‘pendorong pertumbuhan’ adalah syarikat yang mempunyai jualan RM200,000 hingga RM1 juta dan mempunyai lima hingga 20 pekerja.

Perkembangan sektor ICT
Mengikut takrifan itu, saya amat yakin sektor ICT dan juga bidang teknologi tinggi lain akan menjadi salah satu pemangkin pertumbuhan tempatan, kerana sudah banyak syarikat teknologi tinggi yang diterbitkan melalui ekosistem inovasi tempatan (yang disokong kuat agensi kerajaan seperti Cradle, MDeC, MAVCAP, MTDC, KMP dan MDV) yang mempunyai kadar jualan tahunan dalam lingkungan itu.

Anehnya, sebahagian besar syarikat ICT yang dikomersilkan dan mempunyai kadar jualan tahunan antara RM1 juta hingga RM3 juta, dan lazimnya ‘lekat’ dalam lingkungan berkenaan.

Kebanyakannya belum mampu tembus ke tahap pertumbuhan seterusnya, iaitu ke peringkat eksport serantau, walaupun setelah beroperasi lebih daripada lima hingga 10 tahun.

Bagaimanapun dari segi pertumbuhan ekonomi nasional – mereka dianggap sebagai ‘pemacu pertumbuhan’! Betapa bertuahnya mereka!

- Penulis ialah Ketua Eksekutif Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (“Cradle”), sebuah agensi di bawah Kementerian Kewangan Malaysia yang membiayai idea teknologi dan mengkomersilkan perniagaan teknologi tempatan.

Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai pembiayaan yang diberi oleh Cradle, sila layari laman sesawang kami di www.cradle.com.my, atau Facebook dan Twitter di /cradlefundsb.

Survey: Slight fall in business confidence

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

Published: August 27, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Business Confidence Index (BCI) for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) dropped to 59.5 points in the second quarter this year, from 62.7 points in the first quarter.

According to Hong Kong-based market research agency Radar Global, 90 per cent of respondents were positive about their own company's financial prospects, but only 36 per cent was positive about the country's economy over the next 12 months.

Radar Global, which conducted quarterly survey on business confidence, economic outlook and bank reputations among MSMEs in seven emerging markets, said the second quarter results revealed a slight decline of BCI in India, Malaysia, China and Thailand.

Its co-founder and director Grant Beuzeval said despite the small decline of BCI in four countries, the "net outlook" is still very positive in all countries.

"Although a slight decline in overall business confidence levels, most respondents still believe their country's economy is improving," he said in a statement issued recently.

The survey found a slight increase in the BCI of the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt.

Radar Global's MSMEs survey covers seven emerging markets, namely China, Egypt, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and the UAE.

The findings are based on 4,600 interviews with finance managers and other business leaders of companies less than 250 employees during the first two quarters of 2012. This represents a good mix of industries and company sizes.

In Malaysia, the findings showed that new businesses (less than five years) are the most optimistic about the economy, while the oldest companies (above 31 years) are the least optimistic.

The most optimistic sectors for continued improvement in the country's economy are construction (45 per cent) and transport (42 per cent), while 23 per cent of the trade sector (wholesale and retail) expects a slowdown.

About 40 per cent of companies expect their workforce to increase over the coming 12 months, with 55 per cent expecting it to remain about the same, and only five per cent expect a shrinkage.

MSMEs surveyed view three main barriers to local business, namely corruption (46 per cent), red tape (39 per cent) and labour shortage (33 per cent).

Malaysian respondents also saw a European recession, rising oil prices and global recession as the three biggest issues facing global business.

Beuzeval said although the overall momentum in the seven markets appear to be improving among government bodies and financial institutions to support, nurture and sustain MSMEs, these measures are being implemented too slowly for business owners.

He said MSMEs are the lifeblood of the local and global economy as they are hotbeds of innovation, competition, growth and risk-taking. Yet, they end up taking all the risks by themselves.

"Radar Global believes it is important to measure and monitor the business confidence of MSMEs, so we created the Greenhouse250 Index, which we hope will be synonymous with business confidence in emerging markets," he added.

Catalytic push to create home-grown champions

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

Published: August 27, 2012

MY recent one-week Hari Raya break was not a break one would imagine. It was filled with lots of activties, only that this time it was among family members. Work schedules which typically encroach into weekends sometimes did not permit me to catch up with family members on their latest development. In my most recent infamous Hari Raya Open House, one of them even took the opportunity to open a counter to sell "tudung" (head scarves)! No time nor opportunity was wasted!

I am happy to see that the acculturation of entrepreneurship now has infiltrated the young. Irrespective of age or gender, the world is now being introduced to a landscape where business once upon a time was only meant for school dropouts or leavers.

Today, the economic climate has changed as we now witness children, including those from rich corporate families who themselves are graduates, driving the business.

This new paradigm shift is very much welcomed as we wish to see a set of a new generation of young business leaders heading local conglomerates.

As one would imagine, starting a business is no easy task. In this ever changing economy, small businesses are presented with new forms of challenges that might limit their growth, if they fail to overcome it.

As a young entrepreneur, recognising the problems and finding solutions to the obstacles faced is the key to sustain in business.

In fact, without us realising it, more often than not, there are indeed opportunities that lie behind these challenges. Never give up and be afraid if you come across any challenges because "a challenge only becomes an obstacle when you bow to it". Ray Davis

If it is of any comfort, in my interaction with international delegates across the globe, l found that irrespective of the geographical location one comes from, SMEs and small businesses everywhere and anywhere face the same issues and challenges - access to market, finance, infomation, technology as well as skilled human resource. What differentiate between them are the depth and breadth of each of those issues and challenges.

One common universal issue at any part of a business life cycle is of course getting the right and adequate funding. Although the government and financial institutions have made available funds for both startups as well as for business expansion, SMEs and small businesses still complain that they find it difficult to access to those funds.

These small businesses claim that it's almost like "money, money everywhere; but not a 'sen' I can access it". Yet, the irony is Bank Negara Malaysia reported that approval of business loans from both the commercial and development banks is about 84 per cent, not including those approved by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia and TEKUN for micro-enterprises.

Another challenge faced by small businesses and SMEs is getting the right talent and retaining them.

Given the fact that the government has announced that the minimum wage for the private sector, I have come across many business owners taking the extra mile offering other benefits to attract and retain talents - including introducing annual bonuses, providing training as well as ensuring a conducive and supportive working environment.

These small businesses indeed have to compete head on with the "big boys" as they offer better remuneration and employment benefits.

Hence, to ensure that high potential growth firms get through the obstacles in the shortest possible time, the Catalyst Programme has been specifically designed to facilitate companies to emerge as home-grown champions.

The programme, which is the fifth of the six high impact programmes (HIPs) of the SME Masterplan, is intended to handhold and provide a comprehensive support to transform high growth firms to become the nation's gems.

It is designed to remove market barriers and provide targeted assistance to ensure that small businesses and SMEs expand and grow their businesses in the shortest possible time.

As we roll out this programme, current assistances such as the High Performing Bumiputera Companies (TeraS) by Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju) and the Green Lane Policy for Innovative SMEs by Miti and Ministry of Finance (MOF) will be expanded to potential SMEs across all economic sectors and strategic areas.

The targeted approach in this programme will include providing potential SMEs with total support in the areas of bank guarantee, financing, procurement, talent as well as mentoring. To ensure that only the potential high growth businesses are selected to participate in this programme, selection process will leverage on existing diagnostic tools, like SME Corp's SME Competitiveness Rating For Enhancement (SCORE) as well as 1-Innovation Certification for Enterprise Rating and Transformation (1-innoCERT).

The Catalyst Programme will have a clear exit mechanism for firms that have achieved the intended results and for those who did not succeed.

To all businesses out there, I tend to agree with Mark Victor Hansen's views that "Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful."

So, let's get our acts together and take each step at a time. We hope that with full implementation of the HIPs stated in the SME Masterplan throughout the period of 2012-2020, more global champions will be created, and of course, more gems will be polished along the way!

Before I pen off and as we are still in the first week of Syawal, I would like to wish our muslim brothers and sisters a "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, ma'af dzahir dan batin"!

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

Rezeki usahawan muda perolehi projek RM 1.4 juta

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/rezeki-usahawan-muda-perolehi-projek-rm-1-4-juta-1.78378

Published: August 26, 2012

Muhandis(dua dari kiri) mesra bersama pekerjanya

Bukan mudah untuk mengalas jawatan sebagai seorang pengarah syarikat di usia muda. Namun, itulah yang dilakukan oleh Muhammad Muhadis Ahmad Fatahi, 20, yang berjaya mendapat projek infrastruktur jalan raya bernilai RM1.4 juta secara tender terbuka, baru-baru ini.

Mengalir air mata si anak muda ini setelah diumumkan Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) berjaya mendapat projek tersebut. Dia yang tidak menyangka mendapat tawaran tersebut lantas memeluk dan bersalam bersama ayahnya yang banyak memberi tunjuk ajar.

Sebagai seorang anak muda yang masih mentah untuk melibatkan diri dalam bidang perniagaan, dia tidak teragak-agak dan bersedia untuk menyahut segala cabaran untuk memegang jawatan sebagai Pengarah Syarikat United Charisma Sdn Bhd.

Katanya, dia mula berkecimpung dalam bidang pembinaan seawal umur lima tahun ketika sering kali mengikuti ayahnya ke tapak pembinaan. Dia yang masih keanak-anakan ketika itu turut tidak melepaskan peluang untuk membantu ayahnya mengangkat barang pembinaan.

“Saya mula meminati bidang ini sejak ikut ayah ke tapak pembinaan. Ketika itu, saya kagum melihat pelbagai mesin yang digunakan untuk kerja-kerja pembinaan.

“Masakan tidaknya, ketika itu jarang sekali melihat mesin yang canggih dan mampu menghasilkan pelbagai konkrit.

Sejak itu, saya bercita-cita untuk menjadi seorang kontraktor yang berjaya seperti ayah,” katanya kepada Sinar Harian, semalam.

Dia yang kini masih belajar di Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, Jitra, Kedah, dalam bidang Diploma kejuruteraan awam berkata, tanpa ayahnya dia tidak akan mendapat kejayaan pada hari ini.

Muhadis berkata, sebagai seorang yang beragama Islam, kita harus mendapatkan restu daripada ibu bapa terlebih dahulu untuk melakukan sebarang pekerjaan.

Katanya, restu dan doa ibu bapa amat penting sekiranya seseorang itu mahu berjaya dalam kehidupan di dunia mahupun di akhirat.

Tanpa restu, kejayaan tidak akan datang.

Ke mana tumpahnya kuah kalau tidak ke nasi. Itulah peribahasa yang dapat dikatakan terhadap seorang anak muda yang mendapat projek infrastruktur jalan raya yang menghubungkan Grik dan Kupang sejauh 1.8 kilometer.

Dia adalah anak Yang Dipertua Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia, Ahmad Fatahi Omar yang bergiat dalam perniagaan sejak berpuluh tahun lamanya.

Katanya, syarikat yang disandangnya sebagai pengarah ditubuhkan ayahnya pada 1996. Kini sudah tiba masanya dia mengambil alih dan mengusahakan syarikat tersebut.

Muhadis berkata, cabaran dan dugaan sentiasa mendatang. Namun, kita harus memikirkan cara penyelesaian bijak demi kejayaan perniagaan diusahakannya.

“Bukan mudah untuk seorang Bumiputera berkecimpung dalam bidang perniagaan kerana saingannya dengan bangsa asing sangat tinggi. Kejayaan mendapatkan tender juga bukan mudah.

“Saya tidak menyangka akan mendapat tender projek tersebut. Ayahlah yang banyak memberi tunjuk ajar dan panduan.

“Sekiranya mahu berjaya, kita harus  meniru cara bangsa asing berusaha dan berniaga,” katanya.
Pesan ayah, sekiranya mahu mendapatkan sesuatu, kita harus menawarkan harga yang berpatutan dan berkualiti. Kualiti amat penting, tanpa kualiti sesuatu projek atau pembinaan tidak akan  sempurna.

Sekiranya punyai rezeki pada masa hadapan, saya impikan dapat menjejak kaki  sekali lagi ke Tanah Suci untuk mengerjakan ibadah haji selepas melaksanakan ibadah umrah pada tahun 2009 yang lalu bersama keluarga.

Perancangan tahun ini, saya mensasarkan untuk mendapat dua projek tambahan sebagai permulaan memegang jawatan Pengarah di syarikat United Charisma Sdn Bhd.

Terkini, Muhadis telah mendapat satu lagi projek baharu untuk mengecat bangunan Tabung Haji di Kodiang bernilai RM20,000.

“Perasaan ibu bapa ketika itu tidak dapat digambarkan betapa gembiranya mereka setelah mendengar anaknya peroleh kejayaan sedemikian.

“Keluarga juga berpesan, sekiranya punyai sebarang masalah harus luahkan dan berbincang bersama. Jangan pendam dalam hati seorang diri kerana khuatir menjejaskan pekerjaan dan perniagaan,” katanya.
Sementara itu, ayahnya, Ahmad Fatahi Omar berkata, sekiranya mahu berkecimpung dalam bidang perniagaan, seseorang itu harus mempunyai disiplin yang tinggi.

Katanya, selain itu, ilmu di dada juga harus mencukupi sebelum berurusan bersama orang ramai di luar terutama di peringkat atasan kerajaan.

Ahmad Fatahi berkata, bukan senang orang Bumiputera mahu jalankan perniagaan seperti ini. Mereka harus meniru cara bangsa asing menjalankan urus niaga

Myfranchise lahir usahawan kopi

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Korporat/20120823/ko_03/Myfranchise-lahir-usahawan-kopi

Published: August 23, 2012
Oleh fairus kassim
ekonomi@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 22 Ogos - Malaysian International Franchise Sdn. Bhd. (Myfranchise) merancang melahirkan lebih ramai usahawan yang berjaya menerusi jenama francaisi antarabangsa, Gloria Jeans Coffee menjelang 2016.

Myfranchise yang merupakan cabang pelaburan milik penuh Perbadanan Nasional Bhd. (PNS) merupakan pemegang master francaisi Gloria Jeans Coffee bagi pasaran Malaysia dan Brunei.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Fauzi Awang berkata, jenama kopi dari Australia berkenaan telah dibawa oleh Myfranchise sejak 2006 dan mula difrancaiskan kepada usahawan dua tahun kemudian.

Katanya, Gloria Jeans Coffee kini memiliki 17 buah cawangan dan telah berjaya melahirkan 12 usahawan.
"Myfranchise menyasarkan memiliki 50 buah cawangan dan melahirkan 30 orang usahawan dalam tempoh empat tahun akan datang.

"Myfranchise menggunakan konsep membangunkan sendiri sesebuah cawangan dan menyerahkannya kepada usahawan ketika perniagaan berkenaan sudah stabil.

"Kami tidak mengejar keuntungan dengan memiliki banyak cawangan seperti pemegang master francaisi jenama antarabangsa yang lain kerana matlamat Myfranchise adalah untuk melahirkan lebih ramai usahawan baru di bawahnya," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia.

Fauzi berkata, setakat ini program pembangunan francais Gloria Jeans Coffee telah menunjukkan prestasi yang memberangsangkan dengan ada daripada usahawan di bawahnya telah memiliki lebih dari sebuah cawangan.

"Ada di antara mereka telah mampu meraih pendapatan sehingga RM80,000 sebulan. Ini merupakan petanda yang baik dan contoh kepada usahawan baru yang ingin menyertai.

"Gaya bersantai di sambil menikmati kopi semakin popular di kalangan rakyat Malaysia. Oleh itu, saya melihat peluang perniagaan dalam sektor ini sangat besar dan mudah untuk berjaya," jelasnya.

Tambah beliau, Gloria Jeans Coffee kini mengadakan kerjasama Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) bagi menghasilkan produk makanan tempatan dalam bentuk sejuk beku untuk menjadi menu baru pada masa depan.

"Gloria Jeans Coffee menggunakan konsep makanan sejuk beku di semua rangkaiannya, oleh itu untuk menghasilkan menu tempatan, kami perlu melakukan kajian agar makanan berkenaan terjamin dari segi kualiti dan rasanya.

"Ketika ini 80 peratus daripada menu kami adalah kopi iaitu merangkumi 52 jenis, manakala selebihnya adalah makanan," ujar Fauzi.

Gloria Jeans Coffee menawarkan rasa yang sungguh enak berikutan menggunakan biji kopi jenis Arabicca yang diperolehi daripada ladang yang terletak 3,000 meter dari paras laut di Indonesia.

Dana PKS RM2.6 bilion

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/DanaPKSRM2_6bilion/Article

Published: August 22, 2012



AIM sasar lahirkan 100,000 usahawan PKS menjelang 2015
Petaling Jaya: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) menyasarkan penyaluran pembiayaan berjumlah RM2.6 bilion tahun depan dalam usahanya melahirkan 100,000 usahawan berstatus perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) menjelang 2015.

Pengarah Urusan, Datuk Zabidah Ismail, berkata AIM yang diberikan mandat menyalurkan pinjaman kepada usahawan mikro kini menumpukan kepada usaha meningkatkan keupayaan serta keyakinan usahawannya bagi meraih pendapatan lebih tinggi.

Katanya, sejak penubuhannya 25 tahun lalu, 50,000 daripada 311,000 peminjam AIM mencapai status usahawan PKS dalam pelbagai bidang perniagaan dengan menjana pendapatan melebihi RM3,500 sebulan.

Sasar pembiayaan meningkat 30 peratus
“Kami menyasarkan pembiayaan berjumlah RM2.6 bilion tahun depan, iaitu peningkatan 30 peratus daripada sasaran RM2.1 bilion tahun ini. Sasaran pinjaman pengeluaran bulanan dijangka lebih tinggi antara RM6,000 hingga RM7,000.

“AIM lebih menumpukan kepada langkah menaik taraf perniagaan usahawan sedia ada dan membantu mereka mengembangkan perniagaan sehingga ke peringkat eksport,” katanya kepada BH di sini, baru-baru ini.

Di bawah Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Negara (NKRA), katanya, AIM juga diberi mandat oleh kerajaan untuk melahirkan 4,000 usahawan wanita berpendapatan melebihi RM3,500 sebulan, justeru pinjaman AIM penting sebagai modal pusingan untuk usahawan berkenaan mengembangkan perniagaan mereka.

“Kini, kami berada pada landasan kukuh bagi mencapai sasaran itu sebelum akhir tahun ini kerana ramai usahawan mikro sedar keupayaan mereka dan bersedia bersaing di pasaran,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Zabidah berkata, RM1.4 bilion daripada RM2.1 bilion pinjaman yang disasarkan tahun ini sudah disalurkan dan yakin ia akan disalurkan sepenuhnya sebelum akhir tahun ini.

Khidmat dapat sambutan
“Perkhidmatan pembiayaan kami terus mendapat permintaan kukuh terutama usahawan sedia yang mahu mengembangkan perniagaan serta mereka yang mahu menceburi bidang perniagaan baru seperti teknologi dan berkaitan pelancongan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, AIM akan secara agresif melaksanakan pelbagai program dan aktiviti keusahawanan yang berasaskan pengetahuan, kemahiran tinggi, inovasi serta pemasaran dengan memperuntukkan perbelanjaan sebanyak RM6 juta tahun depan.

Katanya, AIM juga akan meningkatkan jumlah cawangan sedia adanya daripada 122 pada masa ini kepada 133 cawangan di seluruh negara menjelang akhir tahun ini.

“Dalam usaha meningkatkan capaian AIM, kami akan membuka 10 lagi cawangan baru tahun depan yang ditumpukan di Sabah dan Sarawak selain Johor dan Negeri Sembilan,” katanya.

Pada masa ini, AIM menawarkan pembiayaan daripada RM3,000 hingga RM50,000 dengan tempoh bayaran balik antara setahun hingga lima tahun, menerusi kaedah bayaran balik secara mingguan.

AIM juga, katanya, mencatatkan kadar bayaran balik sehingga 96.6 peratus, yang mana 80 cawangan mencatatkan bayaran balik 100 peratus.

GMBO bantu usahawan PKS

KUALA LUMPUR 21 Ogos - Program Get Malaysian Business Online (GMBO) yang diperkenalkan oleh Google Malaysia November lalu telah membantu 23,000 pengusaha perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) di seluruh negara dalam meningkatkan hasil pendapatan perniagaan masing-masing.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20120822/ek_04/GMBO-bantu-usahawan-PKS
Published: August 22, 2012

USAHAWAN PKS boleh memanfaatkan penggunaan GMBO 

untuk meningkatkan hasil pendapatan. - GAMBAR HIASAN

Program ini membantu usahawan untuk memperkenalkan produk mereka melalui laman sesawang dan memulakan perniagaan dalam talian masing-masing.

Pegawai Komunikasi dan Perhubungan Awam Google Malaysia, Zeffri Yusof berkata, program ini membuka peluang kepada PKS untuk terus berkembang maju dan membantu pelanggan mendapatkan informasi dengan lebih pantas.

"Jumlah tersebut akan terus meningkat dan mencapai sasaran 50,000 PKS menjelang hujung tahun ini.
"Justeru, kita mahu semua usahawan mengambil peluang untuk memasarkan produk mereka melalui program ini kerana ia sangat kos efektif dan maklumat yang di siarkan dalam laman tersebut sangat meluas," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia, baru-baru ini.

GMBO merupakan jalinan kerjasama antara Google Malaysia dengan Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia (SKMM), badan alamat laman sesawang, .my Domain Registry dan pusat latihan ITrain (M) Sdn. Bhd. (ITrain) bertujuan membantu pengusaha PKS di negara ini membawa perniagaan mereka ke dalam dunia Internet.

GMBO menawarkan peserta laman sesawang, nama domain dan hosting percuma selama setahun untuk 10,000 PKS pertama yang mendaftar, manakala peserta seterusnya hanya membayar RM23 berbanding RM80 bagi kos biasa yang dikenakan.

Selepas 12 bulan, yuran pembaharuan tahunan bagi mengekalkan nama domain perniagaan pula hanya sebanyak RM23 setahun bagi setiap peserta.

Sementara itu, seorang pengguna GMBO, Hajarinawati Othman berpuas hati kerana dengan adanya laman sesawang sendiri produk yang dipasarkannya kini mendapat promosi lebih meluas melalui Internet.
Beliau memasarkan produk dari Sarawak antaranya kek lapis, ikan terubuk masin, ekstrak mee kolok dan kuih sepit.

"Perniagaan semakin berkembang sehingga menerima tempahan bukan sahaja di pasaran tempatan malah di luar negara melalui laman web www.kedaiummie.com.my.

"Saya juga menggalakkan usahawan untuk memasarkan barangan mereka melalui program ini, sekali gus menjana pendapatan berlipat kali ganda," jelasnya.

PNS perkenal francais bergerak

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

Published: August 13, 2012
Oleh Helmy Abd Rahman
helmy@hmetro.com.my

PERBADANAN Nasional Bhd (PNS) bercadang memperkenalkan konsep perniagaan francais baru secara bergerak membabitkan penggunaan van atau trak khas yang diubah suai, sekali gus tidak memerlukan peniaga menyewa kedai.

Pengarah Urusannya, Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Zainol Khodki Shahabudin berkata, konsep perniagaan itu lebih menjimatkan dan pada masa sama efisien bukan saja kepada peniaga, malah pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT).

“Ini kerana bagi peniaga, tidak perlu menyewa kedai, sebaliknya hanya perlu membawa van atau trak khas ke mana-mana kawasan lapang atau parkir yang disediakan PBT dan memulakan perniagaan masing-masing.

“Bagi PBT pula, tidak perlu mengeluarkan belanja membina infrastruktur termasuk kerusi dan meja, sebaliknya ia boleh disediakan peniaga lain pula khusus untuk menyewakan perkakasan itu. Konsep perniagaan seperti ini sudah lama diperkenalkan di negara maju dan ia mampu meminimumkan perbelanjaan serta lebih efisien,” katanya di Kuala Lumpur.

Beliau berkata, ketika ini pihaknya sedang mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa pihak antaranya pembuat kenderaan khas terbabit dan pihak yang berminat memulakan konsep perniagaan baru berkenaan.

“Kami akan mula mempromosikan konsep perniagaan ini bermula sekarang. Bagaimanapun, semuanya bergantung kepada pengeluaran lesen perniagaan bergerak oleh PBT.

“Jenis perniagaan pula boleh dipelbagaikan, sama ada makanan ringan, cenderahati atau baju,” katanya.

SME Corp Holds Iftar Treat For Orphans

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsbusiness.php?id=687048

Published: August 10, 2012


SME Corp Malaysia today held an Iftar Ramadhan dinner to fete 37 children 
 from Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih and Yayasan Pembangunan Anak Yatim 
dan Miskin. Pic: Courtesy of SME Corp

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- SME Corp Malaysia today held an Iftar Ramadhan dinner to fete 37 children from Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih and Yayasan Pembangunan Anak Yatim dan Miskin.

Corporate Communication Division Director Sairana Mohd Saad said the group would take the another 100 orphans for Hari Raya shopping on Monday.

The event was also graced by the International Trade and Industry Minister (MITI) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who earlier had a closed dialogue with 114 1-InnoCERT companies at SME Corp's premise.

Among the highlights of the event included stirring and distribution of bubur lambuk by the minister, as well as charity contribution by SME Corp's personnel and Hyrax Oil Sdn Bhd.

Guests from MITI and agencies also gathered at the event to strengthen ties as well as fulfilling social functions and responsibilities.

-- BERNAMA 

Matrade Urges Malaysian Companies To Utilise Market Development Grant To Tap Overseas Market

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsbusiness.php?id=686566

Published: August 09, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) urges Malaysian business community, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to come forward and utilise the market development grant (MDG) allocated by the government to assist them in penetrating the international market.

MDG is a scheme introduced to assist the SMEs, service providers, cooperatives, trade and industry associations of commerce and professional bodies in undertaking export promotion activities, including intellectual property (IP) registration.

Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud, Senior Director, Exporters Development Division said the government has increased MDG allocation to RM52 million this year from RM22.5 million in 2011 as the scope of activities included had widened to see more companies spreading their wings abroad.

As at July, some RM11.4 million had been utilised for 1,229 companies compared with RM12.3 million used for 1,300 companies, he told reporters at the "Going Global: How IP Rights Can Protect Your Business" seminar hosted by Matrade.

Matrade has targeted some 2,500 companies to utilise the MDG by year-end.

-- BERNAMA

Batik tiruan jejaskan industri batik asli Terengganu

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/batik-tiruan-jejaskan-industri-batik-asli-terengganu-1.74660

Published: August 09, 2012

KUALA TERENGGANU - Lambakan batik tiruan dari beberapa negara luar mula menampakkan kesan kepada pengusaha batik asli di negeri ini yang mendakwa pendapatan mereka semakin terjejas.

Harga yang jauh lebih murah selain kelihatan hampir sama dengan batik asli menyebabkan ramai pengguna memilih batik tiruan, manakala bagi yang jahil seni batik pula terpedaya menganggap batik tiruan sebagai produk asli.

 "Saya sedih dengan keadaan ini kerana ia akhirnya merosakkan industri batik yang menjadi ikon kepada negeri Terengganu dan sebolehnya kami mahu memelihara batik negeri ini," kata seorang pengusaha Wan Ruzima Wan Abdullah kepada Bernama hari ini.

Katanya persaingan semakin dirasai sejak setahun lalu apabila ramai pelanggan datang ke premisnya bertanyakan batik harga murah dan berlalu pergi apabila dimaklumkan harga produk asli.

"Batik asli paling murah harganya RM80 dan boleh mencecah RM450, manakala batik tiruan harganya jauh lebih rendah. Lebih buruk lagi apabila pada pandangan mata kasar batik tiruan itu kelihatan sama dengan produk asli," katanya.   

Beliau menjelaskan batik tiruan dapat dijual pada harga murah kerana diperbuat daripada kain jenis poliester selain coraknya dicetak menggunakan mesin, sedangkan batik asli menggunakan kain bermutu tinggi dan dilukis tangan.

Wan Ruzima, 44, juga mendakwa lambakan batik tiruan terutama dari China dan Indonesia itu dilakukan segelintir peniaga tempatan yang mahu mengambil kesempatan daripada imej Terengganu sebagai antara pengeluar batik terbaik.

Seorang lagi pengusaha batik, Wan Noordiran Wan Long, 44, berkata mereka kini hanya bergantung kepada pelancong sebagai pelanggan terutama ketika cuti sekolah.

"Harga batik bergantung kepada jenis kain dan bahan asas yang digunakan, bagi batik asli kami menggunakan kain putih yang lebih berkualiti seperti kain kapas dan juga sutera yang diimport dari luar.

"Kami sebagai pengusaha batik sebolehnya mahu menjaga material batik yang dihasilkan dan tidak mahu pelanggan terus tertipu dengan batik tiruan," katanya. 
Beliau juga mendakwa ada agensi kerajaan yang membatalkan hasrat menempah batik asli dan bertukar kepada batik tiruan.

"Jika boleh kami meminta pihak kerajaan negeri dapat melihat dan membantu para pengusaha batik bagi memelihara seni warisan ini," katanya.

Bagi membezakan batik asli dan tiruan, Persatuan Pengusaha-pengusaha Batik Terengganu merancang meletakkan logo pada setiap produk asli dan sedang menunggu kelulusan Yayasan Pembangunan Usahawan untuk berbuat demikian. - Bernama

Wena reaching out to more entrepreneurs nationwide

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

Published: August 09, 2012
BY Cheryl Yvonne Achu

KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Bumiputra Women Entrepreneur Network of Malaysia (Wena) will strengthen itself to help local women entrepreneurs by having its branches nationwide within two years.

Its president Nuraizah Shamsul Baharin said Wena's plan for the next two years is to grow in strength so that the association can be a "big voice" for women entrepreneurs.

"We aim to develop women entrepreneurs who move in their own industries and we will focus on five industries, namely retail and services, food, health, education and information communication and technology," she said.

Speaking to reporters at Wena's "New Members Networking Day" here yesterday, Nuraizah said the plans to set up branches nationwide forms part of its membership drive.

"With our aggressive expansion plan, we aim to double our membership number," she said, adding that Wena currently has about 282 members.

In her presentation earlier, Nuraizah said the association had gained the support of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp to help members penetrate overseas markets and rolling out programmes such as the Women Exporters Development Programme.

"However, many of our existing members operate as enterprises and our aim is to upgrade their company status to 'Sdn Bhd' in order for them to expand their business globally," she said.

Wena, established in September 2003, is a not-for-profit association, dedicated towards championing women's right in business and profession.

Wena ganda usahawan wanita

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

Published: August 09, 2012

PERSATUAN Usahawan Wanita Bumiputera Malaysia (Wena) merancang menubuhkan cawangan di seluruh negara dalam masa dua tahun akan datang sebagai sebahagian daripada usaha meningkatkan keahlian.

Presidennya Nuraizah Shamsul Baharin berkata, pihaknya merancang membangunkan usahawan wanita yang bergerak dalam industri mereka sendiri dan menumpukan kepada lima industri iaitu runcit dan perkhidmatan, makanan, kesihatan, pelajaran, serta teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi.

“Kami kini mempunyai 282 anggota dan dengan pelan pengembangan yang agresif, kami menyasarkan untuk menggandakan angka ini,” katanya pada Hari Perangkaian Anggota Baru di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Beliau berkata, persatuan itu sudah menerima sokongan Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia (Matrade) untuk membantu ahli memasuki pasaran luar negara serta menjalankan Program Pembangunan Pengeksport Wanita (WEDP). - Bernama

Penjaja punca bekalan minyak dicatu di pasar raya: Ismail Sabri

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/Penjajapuncabekalanminyakdicatudipasarraya_IsmailSabri/Article/

Published: August 09, 2012

SHAH ALAM: Penjaja yang membeli minyak masak dalam kuantiti banyak adalah punca barangan itu dicatu di sebuah pasar raya di Selayang baru-baru ini, kata Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Beliau berkata, siasatan kementerian mendapati pasar raya itu terpaksa mengambil langkah mencatu bekalan minyak masak berikutan ada penjaja membeli barangan itu yang dijual pada harga subsidi.

"Bila berlaku situasi berkenaan, saya difahamkan pasar raya itu hanya membenarkan setiap pembeli membeli dua botol minyak masak (satu kilogram setiap satu).

"Namun, masalah itu telah diselesaikan, dan bahan itu kembali dijual seperti biasa," katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas menyampaikan bantuan Hari Raya kepada golongan memerlukan anjuran Persatuan Kebajikan Shah Alam di sini hari ini.

Mengulas lanjut, Ismail Sabri berkata, minyak masak bungkusan satu kilogram yang dijual di pasar raya adalah untuk kegunaan orang ramai, dan diberikan subsidi oleh kerajaan, bukannya untuk mereka yang menjaja atau berniaga, termasuk pada Ramadan.

Beliau berkata, peniaga atau penjaja sepatutnya membeli minyak masak dalam tin 17 kilogram kerana ia lebih sesuai memandangkan mereka menggunakannya dalam kuantiti yang banyak.

"Kalau untuk pengguna biasa, saya percaya dua botol dengan jumlah dua kilogram cukup bagi kegunaan sebulan," katanya sambil menambah bekalan minyak masak mencukupi menjelang Aidilfitri.
Terdahulu, dalam ucapannya, Ismail Sabri berkata, sumbangan sempena perayaan di negara ini sangat istimewa kerana ia diraikan semua lapisan masyarakat tanpa mengira agama, bangsa, kaum dan peringkat umur.

"Kita semua membawa semangat 1Malaysia, daripada pemberi sehingga penerima, merangkumi pelbagai bangsa dan agama menikmatinya sempena Aidilfitri," katanya. - BERNAMA

Manisan dan dodol daun palas tembusi pasaran luar Terengganu

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/manisan-dan-dodol-daun-palas-tembusi-pasaran-luar-terengganu-1.74346

Published: August 09, 2012

MARANG - Manis Sokmo Enterprise yang terkenal dalam pembuatan dodol daun palas dan penghasilan gula Melaka di Terengganu akan memperluaskan lagi pemasaran produk berkenaan di luar negeri itu.

Pemiliknya, Mohd Khani Habsu berkata, pada peringkat permulaan, syarikatnya telah menghantar kira-kira 10,000 paket dodol daun palas ke beberapa pasaraya di Kuala Lumpur pada awal Ramadan lepas sebagai pasaran baru sekali gus dapat memperkenalkan produk
berkenaan.

"Buat peringkat permulaan, kami telah menghantar dodol daun palas untuk peringkat percubaan dalam usaha memperkenalkan produk kami dan sambutan amat menggalakkan," katanya ketika ditemui Bernama di sini hari ini.

Gula Melaka atau lebih dikenali sebagai manisan di kalangan penduduk Pantai Timur merupakan antara bahan penting dalam penyediaan kuih-muih tradisional seperti ondeh-ondeh, puteri mandi dan lompat tikam.

Menurut Mohd Khani, apabila tiba bulan Ramadan syarikatnya "tidak menang tangan" untuk memenuhi permintaan yang meningkat secara mendadak dari penjual makanan dan kuih-muih untuk mendapatkan manisan yang dikenali sebagai "nisang" di negeri ini.

"Pada bulan puasa, permintaan mendapatkan "nisang" meningkat berlipat ganda dari 100 keping sehari kepada 1,500 sehingga 2,000 keping sehari."

"Selain bulan Ramadan, permintaan terhadap manisan tersebut juga mendapat sambutan pada setiap kali tiba musim perayaan mahu pun musim cuti sekolah," katanya lagi.

Bagi menampung permintaan yang semakin hari semakin meningkat, beliau berkata beliau telah membina satu lagi tempat untuk memproses manisan dan dodol daun palas di Kampung Batu Putih, Marang.

Katanya tempat pemprosesan itu hampir 80 peratus siap dan dijangka mulai beroperasi selepas Aidilfitri ini.

Beliau, yang mengusahakan perusahaan itu bersama isterinya di Kampung Batangan di sini sejak tujuh tahun lalu, telah berjaya mendapat pengiktirafan sijil halal dari Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Terengganu (JHEAT) dua tahun lepas.- Bernama

WENA tubuhkan cawangan seluruh negara untuk tarik keahlian

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/wena-tubuhkan-cawangan-seluruh-negara-untuk-tarik-keahlian-1.74348

Published: August 09, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR - Persatuan Usahawan Wanita Bumiputera Malaysia (WENA) merancang menubuhkan cawangan di seluruh negara dalam masa dua tahun akan datang sebagai sebahagian daripada usaha meningkatkan keahlian, kata presidennya Nuraizah Shamsul Baharin.

"Kami merancang untuk membangunkan usahawan wanita yang bergerak dalam industri mereka sendiri dan kami akan menumpukan kepada lima industri iaitu runcit dan perkhidmatan, makanan, kesihatan, pelajaran, serta, teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi.

"Kami kini mempunyai 282 anggota, dan dengan pelan pengembangan yang agresif, kami menyasarkan untuk menggandakan angka itu," katanya kepada pemberita pada 'Hari Perangkaian Anggota Baharu'.

Nuraizah berkata persatuan itu telah menerima sokongan Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia dari segi membantu ahli memasuki pasaran luar negara, serta menjalankan program seperti Perogram Pembangunan Pengeksport Wanita (WEDP).

"Bagaimanapun, ramai ahli kami beroperasi sebagai syarikat perusahaan dan sekarang kami menyasarkan untuk menaikkan status syarikat mereka kepada 'Sdn Bhd' agar mereka boleh mengembangkan perniagaan mereka secara global," katanya.- Bernama

Banking dialogues with Sabah, S'wak businesses

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

Published: August 09, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) conducted dialogues in Sabah yesterday and will revisit Sarawak today as part of its initiative to engage with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), business organisations and banks.

"It's timely to return to the two states to share recent developments with regard to SME financing and to get views and perspectives from SMEs on commercial banking-related matters," said ABM executive director Chuah Mei Lin.

She said response from various organisations towards the dialogue in Kota Kinabalu was encouraging with a turnout of more than 80 representatives, including the participation of all member banks presence in the state.

The dialogue was jointly organised by Bank Negara Malaysia and ABM,

The central bank, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd and SME Corp Malaysia presented topics such as the spectrum of financing options available for SMEs and businesses, as well as how they would be able to benefit from the SME Masterplan, recently unveiled by SME Corp.

Chuah said such dialogues provided an excellent avenue for the business community to share with banks its suggestions and ideas for better collaborations.

ABM also took the opportunity to discuss the draft of Phase 2 of PARTNER, an initiative to enhance banking efficiency and customer services for SMEs.

"The first phase, launched in 2010, focused on streamlining and simplifying the application processes and procedures for SME loans," she added.

Since 2009, ABM has conducted a series of dialogues with various business chambers and associations in Penang, Batu Pahat, Kuala Terengganu, Ipoh, Kuantan and Sungai Petani. Bernama

PARTNER fasa kedua akan dilancar

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20120807/ek_04/PARTNER-fasa-kedua-akan-dilancar

Published: August 09, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR 6 Ogos - Persatuan Bank-Bank Malaysia (ABM) dijangka melancarkan program PARTNER fasa kedua pada suku keempat tahun ini.

PARTNER merupakan inisiatif bagi meningkatkan tahap keberkesanan perkhidmatan pelanggan perbankan kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS).

Antara draf awal PARTNER fasa kedua itu membabitkan penambahbaikan fasa pertama khususnya bagi memendekkan tempoh mendapatkan pembiayaan daripada bank kepada PKS bagi kes biasa serta memudahkan proses pembiayaan bagi kes luar biasa khusus yang melibatkan kelulusan Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd. (CGC).

Selain itu, ia turut membabitkan penyelesaian isu ketelusan bank yang mana mereka tidak menyatakan sebab mengapa permohonan pembiayaan PKS ditolak.

Draf itu dibincangkan semasa berlangsungnya seminar yang diadakan oleh persatuan itu bersama PKS, kumpulan perniagaan dan perbankan di Sabah, hari ini.

Program PARTNER fasa pertama telah dilancarkan pada 2010 iaitu sebagai medium menghubungkan peniaga dan kumpulan perbankan dalam menyelesaikan beberapa isu berbangkit.

Online marketing driving SMEs' business success

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

Published: August 09, 2012

THE heart of the Web's success is in connecting people with information.

As consumers are becoming more price-conscious, especially during a downturn, they're spending more time online researching purchases and finding good deals.

Industry figures indicate that Malaysians spend an average of 20 hours on the Internet each week, and there are 18 million Internet users in Malaysia today.

SMEs in Malaysia are missing out on the huge potential to reach their target audiences if they move slowly in embracing the online advertising model, especially during a tough business climate as now.

The Internet is changing the rules of consumer engagement rapidly and provides opportunities for businesses to reach new and existing customers locally or internationally through online advertising, and more specifically search engine marketing.

Even if they go on to make their purchases in a physical store, everything from search engines to social networks to blogs are playing a bigger role in driving that purchase.

Smart businesses know that if their customers are online, then the best way to connect with them is to join them there!

Spending wisely and getting the most out of search engine marketing

Search engine marketing is a highly effective, affordable advertising strategy employed by many Malaysian SMEs during the economic downturn.

A search engine marketing platform, such as Google AdWords, enables businesses to target existing and new customers anywhere in the world, who are actively looking for their products and services online and seeking to make a purchase, by displaying relevant ads alongside search results.

Businesses pay only when a potential customer clicks on their ad. This essentially means that every dollar of your ad budget is cost-effectively used to attract qualified sales leads. There is also no big upfront cost and businesses can set a limit on their daily or monthly budget to monitor and control their ad spending.

With limited capital when it started its business, CWorks, a local SME company specialising in computerised maintenance systems (CMMS), recognised that its customers researched online before making a purchase decision.

CWorks tested several search engine marketing platforms and realised that Google AdWords provided the best cost-per-click and generated the most sales leads from all over the world.

CWorks now has customers in over 100 countries and Google AdWords contributes up to 70 per cent of the daily traffic that come to their site.

It now gets 1,000 to 3,000 visitors a day and convert at least one sale per day.

The company also measured that every ringgit they spend on Google AdWords generate at least RM14 in return.

Here, we provide seven practical tips to help you get started on search engine marketing and achieve better business results:

1) Know your target audience.

2) Identify your goals. Stay focused on how to reach your customers.

3) Choose powerful keywords. Choosing keywords is both an art and a science. Think like your users do, brainstorm your list of keywords, then narrow your focus to reach the most targeted audience possible.

4) Write "must-click" ads. It's time to write the ads that users will see when they search on your keywords - the ads that will make them feel they must click on your ad to learn more.

5) Hit the right users with the right ads. Once you know your potential customers, you can target individual campaigns to reach your audience.

6) Track down to the last customer. After your campaign goes live, measure its results regularly. Keep a close watch on your account statistics, review your own Web logs, and use conversion tracking software (available for free through some advertising programmes).

7) Test. Adapt. Thrive. Continually review what you've set up as the online advertising environment is very dynamic.

The writer is the country manager of Google Malaysia

Malaysian biz confidence dips slightly in Q2

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/456613

Published: August 09, 2012
Karen Arukesamy
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA (Aug 6, 2012): A survey of business confidence in Malaysia showed a slight drop for the second quarter of this year, compared with the first quarter.

Radar Global, a Hong Kong-based market research agency, said the Business Confidence Index (BCI) among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia dropped to 59.5 in the April-June period from 62.7 in the first three months.

The findings are based on 4,600 interviews with finance managers and other business leaders of companies with fewer than 250 employees during the first two quarters of 2012.

It is the first quarterly sentiment index of business confidence, economic outlook and bank reputation among MSMEs in seven emerging markets, namely China, Egypt, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Apart from Malaysia, the BCI for India, China and Thailand also showed a decline in Q2 from Q1, while that for the Philippines, the UAE and Egypt was up slightly.

"Despite the small decline of BCI in four countries, the net outlook is still positive in all countries. Net outlook is calculated as a percentage of positive response minus the percentage of negative response," said Radar Global co-founder and director Grant Beuzeval in a statement.

He said most respondents still believe their country's economy is improving. Respondents in the Philippines, for example, had the highest confidence with 31% expecting a significant improvement and only 2% expecting any kind of deterioration.

"In Malaysia, although 90% of respondents were positive about their own company's financial prospects, only 36% were positive about the country's economy over the next 12 months," said Beuzeval.

"Start-ups comprising businesses with less than five years of establishment, were the most optimistic about the economy, while the older companies of above 31 years were the least optimistic."

The survey also revealed that the most optimistic sectors for continued improvement in Malaysia's economy were the construction (45%) and transport sectors (42%), while 23% of respondents expect the trade sector (wholesale and retail) to experience some deterioration.

"About 40% of companies expect their workforce (head count) to increase over the coming 12 months, 55% expect it to remain about the same and only 5% expect shrinkage," Beuzeval said.

Asked about the three main barriers to local businesses, 46% of Malaysian MSMEs surveyed cited corruption, 39% red tape and 33%, a shortage of labour.

According to the Malaysian respondents, the three biggest issues facing global business were the European recession (43%), rising oil prices (40%) and global recession (38%).

JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award on Sept 8

KUALA LUMPUR: The JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award (CYEA) is back and will be held on September 8 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre this year.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jrsun/Article/
Published: August 09, 2012

The award, which was launched in 2005 worldwide by the Junior Chamber International, was designed specifically to reorganise and honour creative successful entrepreneurs. Ten Malaysian entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the award this year, said JCI Malaysia in a statement.

The JCI CYEA celebrates young entrepreneurs between 18 and 40 years old who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through national and global awards in over 150 countries.

JCI Malaysia will name three winners for Malaysia's 2012 JCI CYEA and the Malaysian Creative Young Entrepreneur will join national winners from around the world at an event which will be held at JCI World Congress 2012 in Taiwan in November.

ABM Returns To Sabah, Sarawak To Host Dialogues With SMEs, Business Organisations

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM)is conducting dialogues in Sabah today and will revisit Sarawak tomorrow as part of its initiative to engage small and medium enterprises (SMEs), business organisations and banks.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsbusiness.php?id=685888
Published: August 06, 2012

"It's timely to return to the two states to share recent developments with regard to SME financing and to get views and perspectives from SMEs on commercial banking-related matters," said ABM Executive Director Chuah Mei Lin.

She said the response from various organisations for the dialogue in Kota Kinabalu, which was jointly organised by Bank Negara and ABM, was encouraging with a turnout of more than 80 representatives including the participation of all member banks with presence in the state.

Bank Negara, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd and SME Corp Malaysia presented on topics such as the spectrum of financing options available for SMEs and businesses as well as how they would be able to benefit from the SME Masterplan which was recently unveiled by SME Corp.

Chuah said the dialogue provided an excellent avenue for the business community to share with the commercial banking sector its suggestions and ideas for better collaborations going forward, she said.

-- BERNAMA

Task force needed for SME Masterplan

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/8/6/business/11775620&sec=business

Published: August 06, 2012
By DALJIT DHESI
daljit@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: While the Small Medium Enterprise Masterplan 2012-2020 will serve as a roadmap to boost small and medium enterprise (SME) sector over the next eight years, the custodianship of the plan by any single agency should not be encouraged, industry observers said.

Under the masterplan launched last month, SME Corp would be the agency to spearhead the plan as well as to strengthen its role and function.

Industry observers said while the move to have SME Corp to spearhead the plan was welcomed, there was a crucial need for a task force to oversee the overall implementation for the plan to become effective and successful.

Recently, the National SME Development Council (NSDC) has called for a single agency to be the custodian of the SME Masterplan. It said the agency should be accountable for ensuring the implementation of the plan and tracking the progress of the masterplan's objectives.

The NSDC added that SME Corp would need sufficient authority and resources and have a more active role in the budgetary decision on SME development.

SMI Association of Malaysia national president Teh Kee Sin told StarBiz that a task force comprising the relevant ministries and trade non-governmental organisations spearheaded by SME Corp should be the way rather than a single custodianship.

“By having a task force, it will facilitate effective implementation of the six high impact programmes under the plan. Time is of essence and eight years is not a very long period for these programmes to realise and achieve its objectives.

“With the right people from various ministries, it will allow for periodical assessments, monitoring and making the necessary changes for effective implementation of the plan. This will help to fast track the otherwise noble plan which the SME sector has long been waiting for,” he added.

An industry observer, who prefers anonymity, said the plan was an important roadmap for SMEs and should not be wholly governed by a single entity as “lethargy” would set and the policies and objectives would not be timely implemented.

Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia SMEs chairman Koong Lin Loong said SME Corp, with its vast experience in dealing with the SMEs, would be able to benefit the sector.

However, working hand-in-hand with various chambers and SME organisations would ultimately benefit SMEs on the whole, he said.

This was because of their knowledge and experience in handling and resolving issues at the ground level, he noted.

The masterplan was timely and comprehensive, he said, adding that it would propel the sector to contribute more to the economic growth.

Koong said contribution from the SME sector to gross domestic product (GDP) was around 32% now compared with about 60% in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore.

The plan would also expedite SMEs to go global as currently, about 19% of the SMEs were involved in the export sector, Teh added.

Meanwhile, Kong said the masterplan would accelerate growth of the SME sector in the right direction, in line with the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) towards becoming a high-income nation by 2020.
To facilitate overseas expansion, he said the Government could provide various assistance.

“Under the ETP, there are several mega projects such as My Rapid Transit and Menara Warisan. It is important for the Government to ensure that SMEs can act as satellite industries in these projects to accelerate their growth,” Koong added.

STSB to Invest RM14m to expand partner programme

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120806010434/Article/index_html

Published: August 06, 2012

ALOR SETAR : Seleraku Trading Sdn Bhd (STSB), well-known for its Sempoi Oblong Burger and Sempoi-O-Boolat Burger, plans to invest RM14 million to expand its oblong burger business partner programme.

Founder of the Bumiputera-owned company, Zunita Nordin, said the participants in the programme could expect to earn RM3,000 a month.

Zunita said with the assistance of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) the programme has received an encouraging response from the residents in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia.

"With NCIA's support, we have managed to increase the output by 15 metric tonnes a day and offer jobs to 50 local residents," she told Bernama here today.

She said with the RM14 million investment, the company would be able to expand the programme to take in 1,000 participants in five years.

"So far this year, there were 20 participants from Perlis. The number is expected to increase to 200 by 2016.

Zunita, who started the business on a small scale, now has a factory with 40 workers to process poultry products.
Since its inception in 2005, the company has invested RM8.2 million to expand its business, she said.

The company has also helped boost socio-economic status of the local residents and burger sellers. -- BERNAMA

Crossing paths in Land of the Tsars

THESE thoughts are penned as l am in between meetings of the Apec SME Working Group and Ministerial Meetings at St Petersburg. At these meetings, the Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) member economies convene to discuss various issues as well as share best practices on SME development and most importantly, enhancing the sustainability of SMEs across regions.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120805233156/Article/index_html
Published: August 06, 2012

Spending my second week of Ramadhan at St Petersburg is an experience I will never forget. I have to admit that my stay here has caused my biological clock to run beserk! Additionally, my iman and taqwa were put to test because Imsak, or the time when the fast begins before Fajr prayer here is at 3.30am, and Iftar — the first meal eaten by Muslims after sunset is at 10.30pm! But above all, how can I not miss indulging on the usual spread we have back home during Iftar as my menu selection at the Land of Tsars was confined to instant noodles, instant sambal tumis and kari ayam Adabi with a few slices of bread.

This is the time that I truly get to taste our best SME products like Aliff Sambal Tumis and Kari Ayam Adabi and a few others.

It’s really practical at crucial times like this.

I would say that through attending international meetings such as this and travelling the world, l am able to understand better the earth’s movements as well as the effects of the sun at the tropics, which determines the length of day and night, etc.

Even at midnight here, one can still see streaks of red light over the horizon as Isha’ is only at 12.30am. Soon after I finished having my first meal of the day at almost midnight, l am left with not much space in my tummy for the pre-dawn meal or sahur. Then, as the clock strikes 3.30am my routine gets back to normal again as I patiently wait for 19 hours till I get to eat my next meal.

Despite the challenges faced, I must thank the Al-mighty for giving me the strength and patience to go through His test, for which l hope to pass with flying colours.

Despite the cultural gap, participation at international meetings like Apec allow people from different countries, race, faith and ethnicities to interact and be tolerant of each other’s sensitivities.

I am pleasantly surprised that the Russian organisers even prepared a Musolla for the Muslims at the meeting venue. Later l found out that there is a Muslim population and two mosques here at St Petersburg.

I had the chance to visit the beautiful quaint little blue mosque just before Iftar, but I was disappointed at how pathetic the state of the mosque was, as it was dimly litted and there was only a sprinkling of jemaah getting ready for iftar.

Anyway, at an international fora such as Apec meetings, a number of initiatives and experiences across the Asia-Pacific region were discussed. For example, there is a consensus among member economies that establishing a business is relatively easy, however, ensuring its sustainability is indeed a challenge.

To survive in a completely unusual business environment today demands entrepreneurs to have creative and innovative minds.

To ensure that the right business eco-system is created and to facilitate transformation of SMEs towards an innovation-led, productivity-driven high-income economy, a dedicated programme to address SMEs’ early financing needs has been formulated.

The SME Investment Programme (SIP), which is the third High Impact Programme (HIP 3) outlined in the SME Masterplan, enables SMEs to cross path with potential investors. This programme is intended to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs’ need for capital and traditional sources of financing.

What we hope to achieve in SIP is to partner with licensed, private-owned and managed investment companies and make a long-term capital investment with them. Once capitalised, the licensed investment companies will be allowed to invest in potential Malaysian small and medium businesses.

The type of funding provided by these firms could be in a form of equity, debt or a hybrid of both. They will be guided by a minimum target debt investment so as to benefit SMEs.

Under this programme, there will be a minimum holding period of the investment company of its SME investee. Essentially, this programme will assist SMEs to expand and grow in a broad spectrum of sectors, be it in the manufacturing, services or agriculture.

In the US, a similar programme to SIP, called the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Programme, has been created. The programme, which provided early stage financing, has assisted many small businesses to grow big and successful.

In fact, you and l know these companies ... it include among others, Apple, Hewlett Packard and Federal Express, just to name a few.

For your information, the HIPs in the SME Masterplan will be rolled out in phases throughout the Plan period of 2012-2020. I was pleasantly surprised that shortly after the article on Technology Commercialisation Platform (TCP), published last week, a few SMEs paid a visit to our One Referral Centre (ORC) enquiring on how to get on board the TCP programme. Not to worry ... we will constantly post updates once the HIPs are fully implemented.

Meanwhile, wishing the Muslims a blessed Ramadhan and for the rest, enjoy the spread of delicious dishes available during this holy month. Honestly, l can’t wait to be home. How very true when John Ed Pearce said “home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and growing old wanting to get back to!”

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