PENANG may be known best as home to many industrial heavyweights, but the presence of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is undoubtedly the backbone of the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said this after witnessing the announcement by representatives from Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) on its initiative called Covid-19 Management Best Practice SOP.
“I understand that this initiative will serve as a reference point with the aim to assist SMEs in the state to operate safely and optimally.
“With 70 percent of Penang’s cases attributed to workplace clusters, especially from the industrial sector, it is a particularly challenging time to ensure the state remains as the country’s leading electrical and electronics hub.
“Therefore, it is critical that we ensure that proper and additional measures are put in place to ascertain continuity of our supply chain, more so as the country progresses from a Covid-19 pandemic into an endemic phase.
“I am also confident that this initiative will raise the level of Covid-19 management among the SMEs and their businesses in the state,” Chow said during the virtual press conference from Komtar today.
At the same conference, state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, who oversees the initiative, said that a focus group among the related parties would be held in the near future.
“The focus group will be a channel of communication between the state authorities and industry leaders for matters related to Covid-19 control plans and procedures to ensure operational safety of businesses,” Abdul Halim said.
According to him, the focus group will consist of representatives from CREST and its member companies, namely the Penang Covid-19 Immunisation Focus Group, Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF), Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) Penang, InvestPenang, Penang Development Corporation and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers.
“With that, the Penang government warmly welcomes the initiative presented by CREST and captains of the industries.
“These best practices will set a precedent for SMEs in the state to resume their businesses in a controlled and careful manner,” Abdul Halim added.
Meanwhile, CREST chief executive officer Jaffri Ibrahim said that CREST was pleased to have played a role in formulating the consolidated best practices.
“Under our patronage, the industry leaders, who are our board members and key representatives, have shared best practices on how companies can operate safely during the pandemic.
“We hope that SMEs can implement these procedures to ensure business continuity,” Jaffri added.
He added that moving forward, CREST would be coordinating its task force to provide guidance and other support to SMEs to ensure proper implementation and adherence to SOPs.
Also present during the press conference were state-level Miti director Jegan Subramaniam and CREST technology and industry director Fouzun Naseer.
For more information on the best practices, please visit https://www.facebook.com/penanglawancovid19, www.buletinmutiara.com, https://investpenang.gov.my/news/ or https://bit.ly/3j34sh3.
Additionally, you can also submit your enquiry e-form at https://bit.ly/3suPhQV.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Chan Kok Kuan