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GUN 2009 Bigger, Better
 | MONEY IN THE BUSHES... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (left) looking at Roselle herb, which is now widely used in the cosmetics industry, after launching GUN 2009 in PWTC on Feb 6. With the Prime Minister is SIRIM Bhd President/CEO Ir Yahaya Ahmad. Pic: Mazlan Samion |
By Suriani Razali
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- The recent Gerak Usahawan Nasional (GUN) event on Feb 6, an annual programme organised by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative not only recorded bigger participation but was also extended from two to three days.
About 50,000 people visited the GUN 2009 officiated by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with MeCD estimating contracts worth RM6 million inked compared to RM4.1 million last year.
The programme held at Putra World Trade Centre saw the participation of 450 businesses compared to 382 last year and it also provided the opportunity to highlight the assistance and services provided by MeCD and its agencies for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.
WIDE PARTICIPATION
MeCD's Secretary-General, Datuk Musa Muhamad in an interview with Bernama recently noted that, other than encouraging people to take up entrepreneurship, the event serves as a business matching session with marketers and foreign traders.
And for the first time GUN 2009 witnessed the participation of all the agencies and ministries relating to entrepreneurship.
TWO CORES OF GUN 2009
"Basically GUN 2009 underlines two main thrusts; assistance and support, and business opportunities," said Musa.
Among the assistance and support available are expertise and training, assistance in boosting product quality (through the Groom Big programme), marketing and promotions support, enhance business networking, financing, assistance in securing business premise and in inculcating a business culture.
"The business opportunities among others include franchise, technopreneurship (Hi-TEC and ICT), retail, furniture industry, contract farming and contract manufacturing.
"There is a myriad of business opportunities waiting to be explored through marketing entrepreneur programme and franchise initiatives like Malaysia Kitchen and 'Forest'Secret'," he explained.
ENTREPRENEUR NETWORKING
The Young Asean Entrepreneur Symposium was held back to back with GUN 2009 with the cooperation of Selangor Young Entrepreneur Chamber where 150 young entrepreneurs for the region dwelt into networking and issues relating to their vocation.
MeCD also invited 70 Malaysian entrepreneurs overseas, among them from ManMa Sdn Bhd (Ireland), MOFAZ Dagang (United Kingdom), Asia Platform (Cambodia) and Gartside Trading Sdn Bhd (Dubai, UAE), that introduced potential buyers to local entrepreneurs.
Through meetings like this local products of high potential will be identified while the entrepreneurs can look for opportunities as agents, stockists or contract manufacturers.
ASSISTANCE FOR NEW ENTREPRENEURS
Musa added that, "MeCD will assist entrepreneurs at the initial stages by providing loans through financing agencies like Mara and Tekun, with a low interest rate of 4 percent. In renting business premise, we are offering a 50 percent discount.
"Furthermore, MeCD also provides support in enhancing product quality by conducting research on products with potential with the assistance of Sirim. The ministry also helps in terms of packaging and labeling products of new entrepreneurs," he said.
The assistance extended is for a limited timeframe, namely at the initial stages, and after the recovery of business capital the recipient does no longer qualify for assistance.
WOOING THE GRADUATES
On the participation of graduates in the event this time, Musa noted that MeCD wanted to provide them with more exposure and turn their attention to the world of entrepreneurship especially in franchise.
"The franchise segment should not be seen as any other ordinary business... we need entrepreneurs with knowledge and education, and expertise in certain areas especially franchise which involves laws and regulation.
"Entrepreneurs without a good educational background may find the franchise business difficult," added Musa.
MeCD also wants to focus on fields like biotechnology, aerospace, ICT and logistics, as these are the fields that the local entrepreneurs have yet to go all out.
"In line with the borderless world of today, we want the businesses conducted by the graduates having global characteristics with modern approaches like the use of internet and website," said Musa.
To win over the graduates, MeCD has rolled out 'Gerak Usahawan' programme at the higher education institution level. In the programme, MeCD provides expertise and training apart from business loans.
CONTROLLING THE OUTFLOW OF RINGGIT
According to Musa, GUN 2009, in line with its theme 'The Economic Resilience and Stability Platform', encourages Malaysians to buy Made in Malaysia products and help save the nation's currency outflow.
"This is especially pertinent looking at the current economic situation," he said, adding that it is time for Malaysia to emphasize on value added products.
"GUN 2009 also serves as the consolidating point of entrepreneurs where they can strengthen their business and help stabilise the domestic economy. In this respect we should emulate the Korean entrepreneurs, who can still walk with their heads high despite the poor outlook of the world's economy," Musa said.
It is hoped that GUN 2009 will aspire more to turn into entrepreneurship especially into new fields.
-- BERNAMA |
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