Trade dispute offers jointventure opportunities with Chinese companies — PUMM

KUALALUMPUR: TheMalaysia Entrepreneurs’ Development Association ( PUMM) expects more joint-venture and export opportunities between Malaysian and Chinese companies amid escalating US- China trade tensions.

President Datuk See Kok Seng said many Chinese companies were starting to use Malaysia as a platform to bring semi-finished products to be assembled and reproduced here and then reexported to the third countries.

“Malaysia, in the short term, will benefit (from this situation). Many more manufacturing companies from China may come here and (enter into) jointventures with local partners.

“We have already seen a few in the Port Klang area. They are using the port to re- export (their products),” he told a press conference here to announce PUMM’s Installation Night 2018 in conjunction with its 25th anniversary.

Hence, See said the association is reaching out to more segments of the business community to establish international links with overseas markets, mainly China and other emerging countries.

“Our outreach programme will focus more on young and women entrepreneurs. We are also having a programme to assist the needy to become entrepreneurs, emphasising on digital economy and Industry 4.0,” he said.

Nevertheless, he hoped the government could assist SMEs, particularly start-ups with lowinterest loans or financing to help them strengthen their footprint in business.

Themed ‘Sterling Future’, the PUMM’s Council Installation Night, set for November 21, 2018 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, is expected to be graced by Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

Organising chairman Datuk Bruce Lim said PUMM aims to raise RM1 million for Tabung Harapan Malaysia from 50 companies at tending the dinner.

“The new central committee w i l l also revea l future trajectory for the association and contribution towards higher adoption of talent development, particularly among SMEs in the digital economy,” he said.

An inaugural publication entitled ‘The Entrepreneur’ will be also launched at the dinner. — Bernama