SME Bank XCESS 2022 networking programme opens up opportunities for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to excel globally with its involvement of trading partners from Thailand and Japan.
Moreover, it also allows MSMEs to gain access to the Asean market through the online platform known as Asean Access.
The hybrid event which took place on Aug 11 at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur received a total of 24,000 online visitors against the targeted 5,000 visitors on its virtual portal and a total of 5,841 entrepreneurs participated in the business matching activities, business clinics, advisory services and visits to the anchor companies’ booths.
According to Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Hj Omar, the initiative to bring international trading partners is the right move.
“All MSMEs who participated in the SME Bank XCESS 2022 should seize this opportunity and enter new markets more quickly and effectively.
“In addition, the Asean Access online platform will provide a huge market size for SME entrepreneurs in the country to explore,” he said.
He added that MSMEs’ export performance in 2021 has shown an increase when it recorded 11.7% export contribution of the country's total exports. Overall, MSME sector exports have increased to 5.4% with a value of RM124.3bil.
SME Bank XCESS 2022 offered an additional four thrusts which are access to financing and entrepreneur development programs as well as comprehensive services offered by the SME Bank Group.
This includes Assets Link, Takaful Services and HalalXcess in addition to the SME Bank Umbrella programme and the Bumiputera Vendor Development programme led by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP). All agencies under KUSKOP also opened their booths to offer their services.
“The Umbrella programme is a collaboration between SME Bank and the anchor companies enabling entrepreneurs who are interested to participate in a business model that is already firmly established in the market thus minimising the risk of failure.
“Programme participants will be financed by SME Bank and will also have the opportunity to get free guidance and advisory services from Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR),” said SME Bank group president and chief executive officer Datuk Wira (Dr.) Aria Putera Ismail.
A signing ceremony to mark the onboarding of the eight anchor companies into SME Bank’s Umbrella programme was also held during the event.
The eight companies include Ramly Food Processing Sdn Bhd, Ayamas Shoppe Sdn Bhd., Chatime Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., and Bubblebee Sdn. Bhd representing the food and beverage sector. Meanwhile, Bateriku (M) Sdn Bhd, Petro Teguh (M) Sdn Bhd, Prowheels Distributor (M) Sdn Bhd and Petronas Lubricants Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd were from the services and automotive support sector.
Besides that, participants were also briefed on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and the importance of adapting it into their business operations. SME Bank is currently in the phase of implementing the ESG agenda into its business operations based on the 2021-2023 three-year Sustainability Roadmap.
For more information on all SME Bank has to offer, visit www.smebank.com.my, follow the bank’s social media platforms for up-to-date information or call the customer contact centre at 03-2603 7700.