Task
force needed for SME Masterplan
KUALA LUMPUR: While the Small Medium Enterprise Masterplan 2012-2020
will serve as a roadmap to boost small and medium enterprise (SME) sector over
the next eight years, the custodianship of the plan by any single agency should
not be encouraged, industry observers said.
Under the masterplan launched last month, SME Corp would be
the agency to spearhead the plan as well as to strengthen its role and
function.
Industry observers said while the move to have SME Corp to
spearhead the plan was welcomed, there was a crucial need for a task force to
oversee the overall implementation for the plan to become effective and
successful.
Recently, the National SME Development Council (NSDC) has called for
a single agency to be the custodian of the SME Masterplan. It said the agency
should be accountable for ensuring the implementation of the plan and tracking
the progress of the masterplan's objectives.
The NSDC added that SME Corp would need sufficient authority and
resources and have a more active role in the budgetary decision on SME
development.
SMI Association of Malaysia national president Teh Kee Sin told StarBiz
that a task force comprising the relevant ministries and trade non-governmental
organisations spearheaded by SME Corp should be the way rather than a single
custodianship.
“By having a task force, it will facilitate effective
implementation of the six high impact programmes under the plan. Time is of
essence and eight years is not a very long period for these programmes to
realise and achieve its objectives.
“With the right people from various ministries, it will allow for
periodical assessments, monitoring and making the necessary changes for
effective implementation of the plan. This will help to fast track the
otherwise noble plan which the SME sector has long been waiting for,” he added.
An industry observer, who prefers anonymity, said the plan was an
important roadmap for SMEs and should not be wholly governed by a single entity
as “lethargy” would set and the policies and objectives would not be timely
implemented.
Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia SMEs chairman Koong Lin Loong said SME
Corp, with its vast experience in dealing with the SMEs, would be able to
benefit the sector.
However, working hand-in-hand with various chambers and SME
organisations would ultimately benefit SMEs on the whole, he said.
This was because of their knowledge and experience in handling and
resolving issues at the ground level, he noted.
The masterplan was timely and comprehensive, he said, adding that
it would propel the sector to contribute more to the economic growth.
Koong said contribution from the SME sector to gross domestic
product (GDP) was around 32% now compared with about 60% in countries like
Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore.
The plan would also expedite SMEs to go global as currently, about
19% of the SMEs were involved in the export sector, Teh added.
Meanwhile, Kong said the masterplan would accelerate growth of the
SME sector in the right direction, in line with the Economic Transformation Programme
(ETP) towards becoming a high-income nation by 2020.
To facilitate overseas expansion, he said the Government could
provide various assistance.
“Under the ETP, there are several mega projects such as My Rapid
Transit and Menara Warisan. It is important for the Government to ensure that
SMEs can act as satellite industries in these projects to accelerate their
growth,” Koong added.
Source : The Star
Date : 6 August 2012
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