WE are facing many challenges in making our products have a global appeal, as less than 25% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are exporting, with less than 10% having research and development (R&D) facilities, and e-commerce estimated to account for 12% of trade in goods, up from 3% in 2005.
We have numerous public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) and private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) that produce graduates every year. Are these “talents” not being absorbed by SMEs to produce highly attractive products, to create more innovative services, and be involved in R&D to make SMEs micro-multinational?