SME Corp targets RM12m sales at SME Week 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) aims to increase the sales value from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Week 2017 to RM12 million from RM8.26 million last year.

CEO Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim said it would be driven by the participation of new online shopping players such as Lazada, 11street and Google, apart from existing hypermarkets such as Giant, Tesco, Lulu, Mydin and Aeon.

She also said the expected sales value this year is based on the improved sales in 2016 which rose 39% to RM8.26 million from RM3.64 million in 2015.

“Throughout the SME Week from May 526, there will be business matching sessions between the SMEs, online players and hypermarkets to source for new suppliers.

“We will also organise training events on how to position and market SME products efficiently via online platforms, which includes photography, packaging, warehousing and logistics.

“SMEs will find it beneficial as their products will not only be available in the domestic market, but also globally immediately,” she told a media briefing on the event.

SME Corp’’s latest survey in 2016 showed that 32% of SMEs had ventured online with most moving into consumer goods such as food, groceries and apparel, from only 6% in 2010.

Hafsah hoped that by 2020, 50% of SMEs would have joined the online market.

On potential SME sales, she said the trend was also in tandem with the 12% increase from RM60.03 million in 2015 to RM72.8 million in 2016.

The potential sales target for this year is set at RM82 million.

SME Week 2017, a collaboration with 18 ministries and 65 agencies, would be officially launched in Terengganu on May 18, and feature over 3,000 exhibitors with 307 activities and over 550,000 expected visitors from throughout the country.

In 2016 and 2015, the annual event recorded 2,677 and 1,314 exhibitors respectively with 291 and 168 activities as such.

“This event also aims to provide visibility to SMEs, and at the same time, integrate the state and federal government programmes towards boosting the sector’s potential and prospects in developing the nation’s economy,” said Hafsah. – Bernama