(From left) PKNS Entrepreneur Development manager Yuzawati Yusoff, Corporate and Entrepreneurship deputy chief executive officer Suhaimi Kasdon, Mahmud and Entrepreneurship senior general manager Azilah Arshad at the soft launch of Selbiz 2022. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) is expecting a turnout of some 10,000 visitors at the Selangor Entrepreneur Expo (Selbiz) 2022.
During a soft launch at PKNS headquarters in Shah Alam, Selangor this week, PKNS chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas revealed that Selbiz 2022 would be a “driving force for Selangor’s economic performance this year”.
“For this first edition, we target approximately RM2mil to RM5mil in sales”.
Selbiz 2022 aims to provide startups and small businesses an avenue to introduce and promote their products to a wider audience.
Secondary school and university students as well as aspiring entrepreneurs are also encouraged to attend the expo in a bid to instil the entrepreneurial spirit in them.
“The challenges that businesses face now in the post-pandemic landscape is tremendous.
“PKNS tries to provide micro entrepreneurs an opportunity to network and gain exposure for their brand.
“We have some high-quality local brands that may not get the visibility they need to thrive,” said Mahmud, adding that the global halal market was an area local businesses could explore, thanks to internationally-recognised certifications.
So far, 160 booths are available for local entrepreneurs at the first edition of Selbiz 2022, which will be held on Sept 3 and 4 at Shah Alam Convention Centre, from 10am to 10pm.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari will officiate at the inaugural event.
“Through Selbiz 2022, micro and small enterprises can showcase their products and services, get to know other potential business partners, explore their market options and know the different financial institutions and funding they can tap into,” Mahmud said.
“Our Entrepreneurial Division functions like SME Corp and Halal Development Corporation Bhd to elevate entrepreneurship in Malaysia.
“Our Seldec platform is connected to various online portals like Shopee and Lazada, should micro entrepreneurs want to make inroads into the online market.
“Besides that, we also have banks attending Selbiz 2022 who can help local entrepreneurs to access finance, funding or loans for their business projects,” he said.
As an extension of the programmes organised by PKNS to support and uplift entrepreneurs in the state, Selbiz is expected to be held biannually to further nurture potential entrepreneurs.
Present at the soft launch was local singer-actress and entrepreneur, Liza Hanim, who said events like Selbiz 2022 were a great motivator for budding entrepreneurs.
The expo is also an opportunity for small and micro businesses to connect with agencies like Matrade, SME Corp, Tekun Nasional, Seldec, Mara as well as supermarket chains like Malakat Mall and Lotus’s.
The two-day expo will include a series of four knowledge-sharing sessions, namely “Dari Tepi Jalan ke Gedung Besar”, Road to Global, Mindsetting (Are you an entrepreneur?) and The Importance of Halal.
These forums will help businesses boost their brand presence. Panellists comprise a cross section of industry experts and professionals who will provide advice and insights to attendees.
Participants can also take advantage of one-on-one sessions with business coaches from Selangor Entrepreneur Clinic, which is another programme by the state government to aid budding businesses.
To date, PKNS has nurtured more than 41,000 business owners through various programmes over the past 27 years.
Visit https://selbiz.my/ or https://selbiz.my/bypass to register as an exhibitor or visitor.
