Malaysian SMEs urged to have enough capacity
Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises should have enough product capacity to serve the overseas market, said Datuk Naim Mohamad, vice president of the Malay Businessman and Industrialist Association of Malaysia (Perdasama).
Speaking on the sidelines of the three-day Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo here, he said the participating SMEs were not only promoting their products to the Chinese market but also other countries at the event.
Besides China, the other countries at the event include Australia, Kenya, Fiji, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
"We should be able to tap these markets and become a great trading nation to increase revenue and prosperity, while seeking developed status," he said.
Naim said last year some SMEs who joined the Expo could not progress further in their business, as they had failed to meet large orders.
"They could not meet the demand for up to two containers monthly as requested by their buyers," he said.
However, he noted that given the continued incentives by the government in the recent 2016 budget, SMEs should utilise it well by purchasing machines that could help speed up production.
"Malaysian participation remains the largest at this international-level Expo. Therefore, we should not pass up the opportunities available. There is a lot of demand for Malaysian products, namely pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food and beverages," he said.
Held for the second time, the Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo began on Thursday with 1,400 booths from 71 countries and regions. Last year, there were just 38 countries.
The Malaysian delegation this year has about 300 booths and some delegates participated in the inaugural Expo. Most newcomers are those who heard the success stories from last year’s participants.
The event is based on the 21st Maritime Silk Road concept mooted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to enhance multilateral investments and trade with Southeast Asia.
