Fund to develop SMEs
> 167 programmes initiated by 16 ministries: PM
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has introduced 167 development programmes for small and medium enterprises (SME) with a fund totalling RM5.88 billion.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the effort is being carried out by 16 ministries involving 60 agencies.
“The government has also set 2017 as a year to promote SME development and business startups as an initiative to uphold SME contribution to the country,” Najib said during his opening speech at the 22nd National SME Development Council meeting held at SME Corp headquarters here yesterday.
Najib added that from 2007 to 2016, SMEs had recorded a staggering 5.4% growth.
This is more than the annual growth of the country’s overall economy, which stands at 4.2%.
“Despite the challenging economic environment, the SMEs still managed to expand their market.
“The SME export growth also increased to 6.6%.”
Najib also announced that the Malaysian level of micro, small and medium Enterprises (MSME) will be celebrated on June 27 every year. The date was set during the United Nations general assembly meeting held last April.
Meanwhile, the 22nd National SME Development Council meeting aims to gather ideas of its council members to increase the growth of the SME industry.
Among those who attended the meeting were Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.