Tap ICT wealth - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR (June 21, 2012): The ICT and creative sectors are now being touted as the new sources of wealth for the country.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the government has given leverage for the ICT sector since 1996 via the Multimedia Super Corridor and presently via the ETP Communications Content and Infrastructure and 10 EPPs.

Speaking at the opening of the NEF Bumiputra Technopreneurs dialogue today, he said the government has done its part through various agencies to help entrepreneurs start and develop interesting ideas and products that can help generate income.

Bumiputra entrepreneurs must unite and combine their expertise, strengths and uniqueness towards forming a strong entity, Najib said, citing the merger and acquisition programme between NEF and Malaysia Venture Capital.

“Such cooperation is much needed in addition to out-of-the-box ideas for solving the problems of funds and scalability faced by bumiputra companies,” he said, adding that the merger and acquisition initiative could be used as a model by Teraju and other industries.

Najib said in an era of globalisation and heightened competition, the government acts as a facilitator to create a conducive environment for entrepreneur development, and to remove obstacles to good ideas and creativity.

Earlier, at the launch of SMIDEX 2012, Asean-India SME Conference and SME Week 2012, Najib said the government has drawn up a master plan to chart the direction and progress of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), reports Bernama

He said the plan will focus on accelerating the growth of SMEs through productivity gains and innovation. “One of the strategic goals under the plan is to promote innovation and the adoption of technology by SMEs,” he said.

He said a national SME Development Council under the PM’s Department was also set up to oversee the national SME effort.

The inaugural SME Innovative Award with a RM1 million prize was introduced in 2010 for an SME deemed most innovative to inspire businesses.

Najib also said Malaysia is ready to facilitate the entry of Indian entrepreneurs into Southeast Asia and serve as its gateway into the grouping.

He said the Asean-India Free Trade Area Trade in Goods agreement, which came into effect on Jan 1, 2010, was a key factor in facilitating the creation of an open market in the region, which has a combined population of about 1.8 billion.

“Since its beginning about a decade ago, business relations between Asean and India have seen tremendous growth and development,” he said.

Article : Tap ICT wealth - Najib

Author : Maria J. Dass