PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) have sealed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate and build partnerships to foster entrepreneurial growth of Malaysian small and medium enterprises.
The strategic partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both parties to establish networks, provide access to technologies and help SMEs to navigate challenges, expand their market reach through exports.
MTDC and SME Corp will work closely to develop a symbiotic relationship and platforms, share valuable business insights and create comprehensive programmes to enhance the competitiveness and innovation of Malaysian entrepreneurs.
Through the collaboration, a programme called Transforming SMEs into Exporters (TSMEX) will be introduced to support and prepare more local SMEs to expand their businesses abroad. The two-phase programme will involve training sessions, workshops and advisory and handholding activities.
MTDC CEO Mohammad Hazani Hassan said, “This renewed partnership with SME Corp. will further strengthen our collaboration and leverage our expertise in nurturing and supporting technology-driven enterprises. By combining our resources and expertise, we can provide a robust platform for SMEs to thrive in the ever-changing market and prepare our local SMEs for the export opportunity.”
Meanwhile, SME Corp CEO Rizal Nainy said that through targeted training initiatives and strategic guidance under TSMEX, SMEs stand to benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience that MTDC brings to the table.
“This collaborative effort underscores a commitment to empowering SMEs, providing them with valuable resources to navigate the complexities of international trade, ultimately contributing to their growth and success in the global market,” he added.
TSMEX, which will be curated and executed by MTDC’s training academy, Technopreneur Training Academy, will begin with a seven-day training programme for 300 companies.
The selection criteria for SMEs to participate in the TSMEX programme require that they have been in operation for more than six months, are registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, have at least 60% Malaysian equity ownership and have minimum annual sales turnover of RM300,000.
The programme will begin in January 2024 with selected participants, followed by the training session, and is expected to conclude by September.
