PUTRAJAYA: Entrepreneur Development Ministry (MED) is roping in the help of captains of the industry and experts to assist in the development of entrepreneurship in the country.
Its Minister Redzuan Md Yusof said these leaders and experts have been appointed as permanent members of the Entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Consultative Committee.
Among them were; Pantai Bharu Group of Companies chief executive officer Datuk Shamsuddin Nor; Kumpulan Ingress Corporation Bhd executive director Datuk Dr Abdul Wahab Ismail; In-Fusion Solution Sdn Bhd managing director Dr Mohamad Salmi Mohd Sohod and Executive and Professional Development Centre of Royal Agricultural University executive director Professor Dr Kanes K. Rajah.
Redzuan, who chaired the committee's first meeting today said they will be working on new policies and strategies to develop entrepreneurship and the SME sector to be more inclusive and competitive.
At the same time, it will also identify strategies to build strategic networks with private sectors at federal, state and international levels.
He said the appointment of the consultative committee members would have no financial implication on the ministry as the ministry strived to meet the 40 per cent contribution target by the SME to the country’s economy.
“The MED is essential in reducing the redundancy of functions among various implementation agencies.
"The committee is important to help the ministry to formulate policies and plan relevant and strategic entrepreneurial programmes.
“The committee will also guide entrepreneurs to upgrade their business and help them to penetrate the global market,” he said.
On the fate of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Redzuan said the formation of Mara via the Parliament Act 1966 would not be changed and remained as a single entity.
He expected the Mara issue would be discussed in the Cabinet meeting tomorrow (Friday) or the latest after Hari Raya Aidil Adha.
“The Mara (issue) is still at the discussion stage for specific ministry that will be given the mandate to execute its eco-system.
“Please don’t say I want it (Mara to be placed under the ministry). Please don’t say we (the ministry) want to take ownership (of Mara),” he said.
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali was reported as saying that Mara would not be ‘carved up’, and its financial management would be handled by his ministry.
Azmin had said the government would continue to uphold Mara’s role as an agency to help the people, especially the Bumiputera.
Mara, set up in 1956, was the subject of controversy following reports that the agency could be revamped and split up among various ministries.