Today's Pick (20/06/12/110/804) Mukhriz: Entrepreneurs given funds will be monitored

Mukhriz: Entrepreneurs given funds will be monitored

MERBOK: Entrepreneurs who have received funding from financial institutions will be monitored to ensure their businesses succeed and do not fail halfway, according to Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir.
Mukhriz said entrepreneurs should also undergo an assessment process before being given funding to ensure a higher probability of their business succeeding.
“We do not want to give public money indiscriminately to anyone who is not really serious or has intentions other than hoped for, as we hope entrepreneurs who have received funding from financial institutions succeed in their business.
“We do not just give money and leave them alone – we follow up with various other programmes. We assess their weaknesses – if it’s marketing, that’s where we help them,” he said at a media conference after the launch of the state-level “Jom Niaga” carnival for micro, small and medium-scale entrepreneurs at UiTM Kedah yesterday.
He said the ministry would help in all aspects, including with branding, packaging and market access.
“We often see micro, small and medium entrepreneurs pre-occupied with production. They should know that promoting and marketing their products is equally important,” he said, adding they should not just wait for customers to come to them.
Mukhriz said to succeed, entrepreneurs also needed a conducive environment besides putting in a lot of effort.
“A conducive environment could create many job and business opportunities, which also help the local economy and in turn create more opportunities for local entrepreneurs,” he said.
Over 300 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs from the food, manufacturing and service sectors in the state are attending the two-day programme organised by SME Corp Malaysia.
SME Corp chairman Datuk (Dr) Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid said the event drew some 10,000 visitors yesterday alone, and the previous seven events at other locations nationwide, which brought together entrepreneurs and representatives of financial institutions in an outdoor festival-like gathering, also received good public response.
Activities have included interactions with successful entrepreneurs, children’s colouring contests, weapons demonstrations by the armed forces, concerts and “pocket talks” by financial institutions. – Bernama
Source : The Star 

Date : 20 June 2012 

Today's Pick (20/06/12/110/804)