THE Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) will be organising its annual SME100 Fast Moving Companies Awards programme in conjunction with their 35th anniversary in Penang this year.
Regarded as the country’s largest small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) association, Samenta was first established in Penang in 1986, and is now making a return to the state to celebrate its anniversary after almost a decade.
State Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, during a press conference today, thanked all the SMEs in Penang and across the nation for being the important backbone in driving the country’s economy.
“This is a very meaningful occasion as it gives recognition to all the SMEs for their enormous contribution thus far.
“Moving forward, the state government intends to see the SMEs ramp up their businesses and become key regional players, as well as tap into the global market.
“2022 is the Year of the Tiger. So, I hope the SMEs will roar like tigers and level up their businesses, while contributing immensely to the state’s economy,” Abdul Halim said during the announcement ceremony of the SME100 Fast Moving Companies Awards programme in Komtar today.
At the ceremony, it was learnt that this year’s awards night will be held on March 18 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas, which will be graced by the Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
Meanwhile, Samenta northern region chairman Calvin Kwan Chii Shyan, said that this year’s awards night will be special as it will commemorate the association’s 35th anniversary, as well as appreciate the struggles SMEs underwent due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With all the challenges that many SMEs and entrepreneurs have gone through or are still going through, it is our mission at Samenta to continue to inspire and support them in their entrepreneurship journey by providing a strong, solid platform for recognition, networking and continuous growth.
“I hope all the SMEs will stand up strong to face this critical time together as one family. Let us rise and grow together for a better future this year,” said Calvin during his speech.
Samenta currently has some 3,000 members, covering the north, south and central regions of Malaysia.
In a related development, Abdul Halim expressed hopes that SMEs in Penang will also expand their interest into areas such automation and robotics.
“It is good to venture into new areas, and I hope the SMEs can leverage on these platforms and be more creative and innovative,” he added.
Also present during the press conference were Samenta national chairman Well Kam and its central region chairman Datuk William Ng.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting