KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) — The Federation of Malaysian Business Association (FMBA) has commended the proactive and inclusive approach of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim in addressing issues faced by the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Malik Abdullah said the engagement session yesterday demonstrated that the ministry practises an open-door policy and places emphasis on strategic cooperation between the MADANI Government and the private sector.
He said Sim’s move to raise challenges faced by MSMEs to the highest level through a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 2 and an audience with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, yesterday, reflected his commitment to ensuring that the voices and concerns of MSMEs are given due attention.
“This close cooperation is crucial to ensure the effective implementation of the ABCD strategy (Productivity Shift, Simplified Bureaucracy, Access to Capital and Market Accessibility) and that it delivers a direct impact on industry players,” he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Abdul Malik also welcomed Anwar’s recent announcement of RM80 billion worth of MSME support package, describing it as a clear manifestation of the MADANI Government’s commitment to empowering and strengthening the local business ecosystem.
“We hope this initiative will help address issues related to access to financing, streamline bureaucratic processes and create a more conducive and resilient economic ecosystem,” he said.
Overall, he said industry players were satisfied with the outcome of the engagement session and are committed to continuing close cooperation with Sim and the ministry to strengthen the competitiveness of MSMEs across the national economic value chain.
The meeting was also attended by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), Malaysia Shopping Malls Association (PPK), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Malaysian Interior Industry Partners Association (MIIP), SME Association of Malaysia, Business Networking Club (BNC) and Malaysian Book Sellers Association.
— BERNAMA