THE small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of Penang’s economy, need to be given much emphasis.
State Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said when the SMEs are given due importance, they would become localised businesses and eventually develop into regional and global companies.
“For instance,there are high tech parks (R&D) from Singapore in Chengdu, US, Vietnam and all over the world.
“So, this is how Penang should position itself and that is the challenge that we must take up. And today I am glad that the Cheng &Co has decided to open its new branch in Penang.
“Congrats and welcome to Penang and we believe that you would play a pivotal role in helping our SMEs,’’ Abdul Halim said during the launch of Cheng &Co Penang branch held at the Tech Dome Penang recently.
Abdul Halim also said that Penang would be celebrating its 50 years of industrial journey next year. The journey, he said, was initiated by the late former Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.
“These 50 years of industrialisation have been good for us as we have developed talents. For example, we have produced thousands of IC (instrumentation and control) engineers who are now working with the multinational companies (MNCs).
“The future for Penang relies on how these talents working for the MNCs could help develop young talents to make Penang resilient and sustainable in the E&E (electrical and electronic) sector.
“This is the strength of Penang and I have been pushing for the development of R&D (research & development) in Penang as well.
“We must ‘capture’ all these talents which we already have here, so that they do not move anywhere else.
“If they move elsewhere, then others (countries) would stand to gain. So, we must do something to prevent this from happening, ”Abdul Halim added.
Abdul Halim also said that the future lies in the hands of the young as they are the ones who can keep abreast with technological advancement.
“I remember in the book, Made in Japan by Akio Morita, he said the future of a company is in the youngest recruits.
“Thus, we need the young to drive the technology,’’ he said.
At the event, Abdul Halim also witnessed the exchange of Memorandum of Understanding between Cheng & Co with several parties, namely Chinese Entrepreneur Association (CEA), Malaysia Lin Chamber of Commerce Penang (MLCCP) and Junior Chamber International (JCI) Penang.
Also present was Cheng & Co Group executive chairman and co-founder Datuk Chua Hock Hoo.
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter