MITI wants to partner GLCs to help Bumi SMEs

News & Events - By author on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - 00:00

Small Bumiputera entrepreneurs can look forward to business opportunities as more government-linked companies (GLCs) join the trade ministry's entrepreneur development programme

Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is now in talks with a few GLCs.

So far, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is the only GLC that is part of the scheme. It is leasing premises to Bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

Mukhriz launched two stores under this programme at the KLIA in Sepang yesterday.

Jonker Walk Kopitiam cafe and Sky Mart Travel retail outlet, have a combined sale of RM250,000 a month, and an average of 1,000 customers a day.

While the cooperation between MITI and GLCs is still in the early stage, the potential is huge.

"The response from the private sector is quite slow as they are driven by commercial considerations.

"But given the opportunity, Bumiputera entrepreneurs can thrive, become competitive and really be successful like these two outlets," he told a news conference.

Also present were MAHB chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman and managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad.

Today, there are eight premises operated by Bumiputera SMEs at the KLIA as well as the LCCT's Food Garden.

Last year, sales at the Food Garden rose 16 per cent from 2008.

The deputy minister also said MITI will continue to talk with the private sector, especially large shopping complexes to provide retail space for Bumiputera SMEs.

The ministry will also approach other GLCs as well as smaller airport operators in the country to lease business premises to the entrepreneurs.

NST, Feb. 9, 2010