WOMEN’s participation in Penang’s economic drive should go beyond just having them participate in state and national programmes, and instead give them integral roles by entering high-value industries and competing regionally and globally, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Based on the state’s target of having 40 per cent women representation among entrepreneurs under the Penang2030 vision, Chow emphasised that 81 per cent has been achieved, translating to a rise from 2,450 women entrepreneurs to 4,052 in 2026 so far.
“This is encouraging, but our ambition must go further. We should not only have more women entering entrepreneurship.
“I want to see more women-led and women-founded companies becoming part of Penang’s electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem,” Chow said in his speech after attending the Penang Women Chamber of Commerce (PWCC) Business Scaling and Expansion Summit at St Giles Wembley hotel in George Town earlier this morning.
Similarly, Chow also highlighted that while women start businesses with limited capital and resources, the real challenge occurs when they plan to grow their businesses, such as access to financing, talent, technology, larger markets, and government support.
“This is where the government and industry must make a difference.
“We need to connect women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to financing, technology, mentors, larger companies and new markets. We should not only help women start businesses. We must help them scale.
“The Federal Government has many programmes and initiatives. I believe the Minister has covered much of what needs to be done at the Federal level. From the state level, our role is to complement these efforts and make sure the opportunities reach businesses on the ground.
“So, to the Minister and Federal agencies present today, please listen to our women entrepreneurs. Understand what is stopping them from growing and make government assistance simpler, clearer and easier to access,” Chow further added.
In a related development, Chow also spoke briefly about the recent discussion of introducing a hybrid version of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) nationwide, which he said required proper research and study before implementation.
“For SMEs, changes to the tax system affect costs, cash flow and business planning. I believe we need more research and consultation before implementation.
“We should learn from our experience with GST and SST, understand the impact on businesses and consumers, and listen to industry.
“There is no need to rush. Businesses need certainty, clarity and time to prepare. If we move too quickly without proper preparation, we risk creating more confusion.
“So let us study it properly, consult properly and implement it only when the time is right,” he said.
Relatively, as we approach another election cycle, Chow mentioned that these national issues are prone to be a topic of discussion among the community.
“People may vote in a state election, but they are also thinking about the cost of living, jobs and whether their businesses can grow.
“This is why Federal and state governments must work together and, more importantly, listen to businesses.
“And this is where PWCC can play an important role.
“I want PWCC to be more than a networking platform. I want it to become a place where women entrepreneurs find customers, investors, mentors, partners and new markets.
Also present earlier were Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, state Social Development, Welfare & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim, state Trade and National Unity Committee chairman Goh Choon Aik, PWCC founder Datuk Seri Chong Eng, PWCC charter president and PWCC summit 2026 advisor Datuk Dr Annie Chin, PWCC president Koh Shu Juan, and other key officials.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alissala Thian