Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob officiating Smidex 2021. - Bernama
THE Small and Medium Industries Development Expo (Smidex) targets some 10,000 virtual visitors and RM50mil in potential sales through various online activities from now until Dec 23 this year.
The recent event at the KL Convention Center was organised by SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) - an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (Medac) – with the theme MSME: Revitalise (PMKS: Bangkit Kembali), with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob officiating.
Smidex 2021 opens space and opportunities for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to gain access to financing, market opportunities, increase trade activities and highlight local products and services to the international level.
“The Government acknowledges that the MSMEs sector is one of the groups most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with 95.3% experiencing a sharp decline in sales in the early period of containment,” said the prime minister in a statement recently.
“As SMEs are still struggling following the effects of the pandemic that has changed the pattern of the local economy and market, strategic measures need to be given attention as a lifeline for MSMEs to remain operational.
“In this regard, since March 2020, a total of RM196bil has been allocated to assist MSMEs in dealing with the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic,” he added.
“Smidex has strengthened its brand as one of the best local and international exhibition platforms aimed at helping local MSMEs,” said Tan Sri Noh Omar. - Bernama
In empowering the post-pandemic digital economy ecosystem, various initiatives have been introduced by the government during this transition period of the recovery phase.
In light of this and for the first time in some two decades, Smidex 2021 is running from Dec 1-23, 2021 online through the MyAssist MSME portal.
Among the activities are e-exhibitions involving 150 MSMEs, multinational companies, government-linked companies and ministry and government agencies.
There are business matching sessions with large supermarkets, leading companies from within and outside the country, through the MatchME module involving anchor companies such as Aeon, Celcom, Lazada and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), among others.
Smidex 2021 also offers some 300 slots of advisory sessions, business consulting, financial assistance information, trade facilitation, technology support and online branding using the MeetME module.
More than 100 business counsellors from various ministries and agencies are offering free advisory services to MSMEs such as Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad, Credit Counseling and Management Agency, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad, and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad.
In addition, the technology need pitching (TNP) session provides an opportunity for MSMEs to explore the latest technology solutions to improve the efficiency of the company's business operations.
Meanwhile, the BizTalk sharing sessions were also held featuring experienced speakers in various related areas of expertise financing, financial management, business marketing and entrepreneurship.
“After more than two decades, Smidex has strengthened its brand as one of the best local and international exhibition platforms aimed at helping local MSMEs by highlighting the capabilities and availability of their products, services, technologies and innovations in penetrating regional and global markets", said Medac Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar in a statement.
Smidex was also held in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of SME Corp, formerly known as the Small and Medium Industry Development Corporation (Smidec).
The launch ceremony was also attended by Medac secretary general Datuk Suriani Ahmad, SME Corp chairman Datuk Sri Syed Hussien Al Habshee, SME Corp chief executive officer Rizal Nainy and Medac agency heads.
For more information on the activities that will take place during SMIDEX 2021, follow SME Corp's social Facebook and Instagram or visit www.smidex.my.
