:-: MELAKA INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER:-:

PERINGGIT, March 20: Melaka State government, in collaboration with Ministry of Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development, is helping to revolutionize the small scale industry in Melaka to enhance the value of local products in the international market.

“This revolution will starts from individual business where they will be assisted and encouraged until they succeed and could list their business in Bursa Malaysia” said YB Datuk Wira Ismail Saleh, the Melaka State Secretary.  

“SDSI is an effort to help Malaysian start, run and grow their business until finally the company is qualified to be listed in Bursa Malaysia.” YB Datuk Wira told reporters at the bus launching ceremony to promote Satu Daerah Satu Industri (SDSI) at Melaka Sentral this morning.

According to him, the development will be planned and implemented as in schedule involving the small scale entrepreneurs to improve their business. He also said that the Melaka state government has succeed in promoting and marketing the local product “Melaka Best” to a higher level and has met the market demand where people could buy the product anywhere and anytime.

Through MeCD, guidance, supports, training, marketing, infrastructure facilities and financial support will be given to enhance productivity. Thus, Ismail calls for cooperation from all entrepreneurs to take this opportunity and to ensure they have equipped themselves with knowledge to compete in higher level.

Additionally, he said state government is pleased and also proud with few local entrepreneurs who have succeeded in marketing their product outside Melaka. Fauziah Karim, one of local entrepreneur from Duyong also managed to sells her product overseas.

Meanwhile, representative from MeCD, Hashim Abdullah said the ministry always organize programs which related to entrepreneurship to produce more entrepreneur especially Bumiputera. Hashim said, currently there are various industry that could be created from many sectors like food, beverages and herbs.

“However, some entrepreneurs has problems to market their product where they has failed to meet the criteria for example packaging, labeling branding and ISO certified.” said Hashim. In addition, he insists that from time to time the ministry always help to improve product quality to ensure the local product could compete globally.

During the ceremony, a bus has been officially launched to promote “Showcase SDSI 2006” which will be held from 6th -8th April 2006 at Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC). Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak is expected to launch the event.