Mara introduces programme to assist entrepreneurs enter the global market

KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has introduced the Gate to Global (GTG) programme to assist bumiputra entrepreneurs to penetrate the global stage.
Its chairman, Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Hussin, said the programme aims to bring about 100 bumiputra products to the global stage by 2018.
"GTG will focus on the branding of bumiputera made products, especially those under the fast moving consumer goods category," Awang said during a press conference after the launch of the programme at the Primiera Hotel.
According to Awang, Mara has produced more than a million bumiputera entrepreneurs since its inception 51 years ago.
He said Mara has played the role of a "socioeconomic engineering agency" in the entrepreneurial, education and investment sectors, which has contributed to the growth of the nation.
"Mara has almost 500 business premise projects with about 7,000 business spaces throughout the world. This has helped the entrepreneurs to generate income as much as RM2.62 billion in a year, as well as creating jobs for more than 20,000 people."
Awang said bumiputera entrepreneurs need to brace for changes and follow the business trends in order to penetrate the competitive global market.
He added that entrepreneurs must possess comprehensive branding and marketing business knowledge in order to enter the global stage.
"There's a lot of bumiputera entrepreneurs, especially under Mara's guidance who has export ready products or services. Thus, the GTG programme is a starting point for entrepreneurs to expand its wings to the global market."
GTG is a collaborative effort between Mara, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), SME CorporationMalaysia (SME Corp) and the Idea Institute.