Samenta voices concern over possible move to new ministry

PETALING JAYA: Small and medium enterprises association of Malaysia (Samenta) has voiced its concern over the possibility of government agencies such as SME Corp and SME Bank, moved to the newly resurrected Ministry of Entrepreneur Development.
"The current arrangement of placing SME Corp and the National SME Development Council within the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has enabled seamless co-ordination within the MITI community," it said while also welcoming the resurrection of the Entrepreneurship Development Ministry.
"Among the pain points of SME is that of market access and capacity building. Having SME Corp placed along with Matrade (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) and Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) within MITI would help ensure a unified policy playbook for SMEs," it added.
Stressing that policy certainty and continuity is important, Samenta said it will support the cabinet's decision and hopes that a decision will be made with continuity of these agencies in mind.