| Danial Norjidi |
DARE (Darussalam Enterprise) and SME Corp Malaysia (small and medium enterprises Corporation Malaysia) signed a Memo-randum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday to mark both agencies’ cooperation in the field of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development.
The MoU was signed during the opening ceremony of the Brunei Job Fair 2016 yesterday at the Bridex International Exhibition Centre.
The objective of the MoU is to encourage cooperation in matters of policies, expertise and information sharing relating to the development of MSMEs in Malaysia and Brunei as well as the establishment of business networking, industrial linkages and other forms of technical collaboration between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
Present as the guest of honour and to witness the signing was Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of DARE. Also present to witness the signing was Datuk Ghulam Jelani bin Khanizaman, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam.
Signing on behalf of DARE was its Chief Executive Officer Soon Loo, while signing on behalf of SME Corp Malaysia was its Chief Executive Officer Datuk (Dr) Hafsah binti Hashim.
In a statement, Soon Loo emphasised the importance of the MoU to explore new opportunities in the enhance-ment of the initiatives as well as policy measures to support the development of MSMEs in both countries.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between DARE and SME Corp Malaysia by Chief Executive Officer of DARE, Soon Loo and Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp Malaysia, Datuk (Dr) Hafsah binti Hashim, being witnessed by the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of DARE, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar and the High Commissioner of Malaysia in Brunei Darussalam, Datuk Ghulam Jelani bin Khanizaman. -PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
The exchange of documents after the signing ceremony between Soon Loo and Datuk (Dr) Hafsah, as the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office and the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam look on.
“This MoU highlights DARE’s commitment in nurturing and driving the sustainable development of our local enterprises and marks a clear progression of its efforts to bring about a more conducive vibrant and resilient MSME landscape in Brunei,” he said.
“It is hoped that this strategic collaboration will not only help to further strengthen Brunei-Malaysia bilateral relations but will also help MSMEs in both countries gain better access to wider market networks and business partnerships.”
Meanwhile, Datuk (Dr) Hafsah stated that Malaysia is happy to share its experience in adopting a holistic approach towards MSMEs development.
“In Malaysia, we have witnessed SMEs becoming key catalysts to growth towards achieving an inclusive high income nation by 2020,” she said. “In 2015, Malaysian MSMEs contributed 36.3 per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from slightly below 30 per cent in 2005.”
“MSMEs are also the main provider of employment collectively at 65.5 per cent contribution in 2015. These are primarily contributed by robust foundation which has been laid, with the institutional framework and a clear policy plan and development programmes ca-rried out by the government of Malaysia in consultation and close collaboration with the private sector,” she added.
A business forum and dialogue session was also held yesterday to highlight the cooperation between DARE and SME Corp Malaysia.
The post DARE signs MoU with SME Corp Malaysia appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.