SMEs elated to be among top 10 in Golden Bull Award

KUALA LUMPUR: Some small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were elated to be ranked in the top 10 of the Golden Bull Award 2007 – The 5th Malaysia 100 Outstanding SMEs, but it was a surprise for some, especially to rise to the top. 

The winners also felt their win would spur them forward as they expand and gain more recognition among peers. 

Second time participant NationGate Technology (M) Sdn Bhd was named the top outstanding SME. 

Managing director Datuk Pang Yun Tiam said he was happy to get into the top 10, but did not expect to be placed first. 

"Support from customers and staff's effort contributed to the win. The award is a motivation to staff," he told reporters after a ceremony to announce the winners of the Golden Bull Award 2007 on Monday. 

Sushi Kin Sdn Bhd, which operates the Sushi King chain of restaurants, finally cracked the top 10 after being named outstanding SMEs for the past four years since the award was incepted in 2003. 

Law Hwee Ching said the aim for a top 10 ranking finally "came true". 

"The success is due to team effort and each department worked toward achieving a common goal set in the company," she said, adding that the company would expand to Sabah and Sarawak later this year. 

The government should focus on human capital development, to produce quality workers in the food and beverage industry, Law added. 

Pacestar Industries Sdn Bhd, which improved to third from last year's eighth ranking, was consolidating and exploring opportunities to export overseas. 

Finance and admin general manager Lim Lip Jin said the win would encourage colleagues to work harder as it served multinational companies. 

Head judge Datuk David Chua said the companies that qualified for the award showed healthy performance in terms of operating results, growth, sound utilisation of resources, capital, assets and human resource employment. 

The total number of entrants increased 25% to 148 this year.  

Half of entrants came from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.  

The bulk of entrants were from manufacturing, and wholesale, distribution and retail sectors. 

International Trade and Industry Ministry parliamentary secretary Datin Paduka Tan Yee Kew said the government had allocated RM2.2bil to the SME sector under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, compared with RM1.6bil in 8MP. 

"The allocation will focus on creating innovation driven SMEs, involving the building of technical and innovation capacity," she said.