Bumiputra SMEs to be showcased at M'sian airports

GEORGE TOWN: The International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) will work with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd to introduce the "In-Store" programme to airports in the country, in a bid to increase bumiputra entrepreneurs' participation in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

MITI deputy minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the programme, subsidised by MITI, served as a platform for bumiputra SMEs to showcase and promote their products.

“It would cost them a lot of capital if they were to rent the space on their own.

“The programme will present to tourists and local visitors the variety of products available from the bumiputra SME sector,” he said.

Penang International Airport was chosen for the inaugural launch of the In-Store programme, owing to its strategic location.

The programme will run from Oct 2 to Nov 1, 2017 at the airport, and see the participation of nine bumiputra SMEs.

Officiating the launch, Ahmad noted the low rate of bumiputra participation in the SME sector in Penang, which stood at 14.8% as compared to 37.8% in the country as a whole.

MITI will work towards increasing bumiputra participation in the SME sector and expects to see the number of participants go up by 5% to 10% annually.