SALUTATIONS 

YBhg. Dato’ Azman Mahmud
CEO of MIDA
 
YBhg. Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift
CEO of Bursa Malaysia Berhad
 
Distinguished Speakers and Panellists
 
Members of the Media
 
Ladies and Gentlemen

INTRODUCTION

Good morning. I am pleased to see so many keen representatives of local businesses who are able to join us today. Congratulations to MIDA and Bursa Malaysia for organising this forum.
 
To give everyone a brief idea of what is ahead, I will be focusing on 3 main areas this morning:
 
i.   Firstly on the relevance of this Forum;
ii.  Secondly, on listing on Bursa Malaysia for SMEs; and
iii. The final one, I will also highlight on the recently published Malaysian Industrial Park Directory, following the completion of MIDA - Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Industrial Park Forum series that was held last year. Although this is not related to the topic of our event today, I feel that it is good for me to take this opportunity to share this information.

KEY POINT #1: The relevance of this Forum

Ladies and gentlemen, 
 
Today’s event is certainly in line with the Government’s on-going efforts to increase the competitiveness of our domestic players. We want more local companies to integrate into the international supply chain and become global champions.
 
The world, as we know it, is evolving at a record breaking speed, driven by new and emerging technologies. Domestic players will need to align with market trends by adopting new processes and different ways of doing business. This will require companies to invest in new technologies, up-skilling talents and undertake R&D activities.
 
That being said, the Government is well aware that financial resources might not be readily accessible to many, with funding being among the top challenges faced by local stakeholders.
 
The recent announcement of Budget 2020 looks into addressing this gap by facilitating access to financing and capacity building, especially to SMEs via various allocations such as matching grants, loans and tax breaks. Through this, we hope that more local businesses will undertake higher value added activities, rising to become regional and international champions. However, this is only the tip of possible remedies to the challenge of financing.
 
Today, MIDA and Bursa Malaysia are working together to better assist and facilitate domestic companies in diversifying their financial assets and increase capital by being publicly listed. I hope that this forum will increase the financial literacy and understanding of everyone present today towards taking businesses to the next level.

KEY POINT #2: Listing on Bursa Malaysia for SMEs   

Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
As many of us are aware, Bursa Malaysia has introduced the Leading Entrepreneur Accelerator Platform (LEAP) Market in 2017. This market promotes capital formation for SMEs, strengthening the role of capital markets in the growth of small and mid-cap companies. The LEAP Market also provides companies, mainly SMEs, with greater fund raising access and visibility through capital market. To date, Bursa has nearly 30 companies listed in the LEAP market, with more entities looking to enlist in the future.
 
This is an excellent opportunity for businesses with global ambitions to gain valuable insights on the benefits, requirements and processes involved in the listing exercise. In line with the Government’s Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030 that seeks to boost SMEs contribution to the GDP from the present 38% to 50% by 2030, it is crucial that SMEs are equipped with the necessary knowledge and opportunity to access the secure and active trading markets to unlock their true business potential.
 
Entrepreneurs and SMEs should take this opportunity to tap the equity market for listing. Listing your company in Bursa Malaysia is not just about selling stock. Besides facilitating fund raising to expand business activities, the listing status will also elevate the status of your companies. It is also a testament to the success and long term viability of the business. The process of being listed may seem complex and time consuming but with the professional advice and facilitation provided here today, we hope that everyone will potentially reap the payoffs.

KEY POINT #3: The Malaysian Industrial Park Directory

Ladies and gentlemen,
 
Strategic public-private partnership has always been the Government’s priority to facilitate quality investments to support domestic companies. One key initiative last year included the series of Industrial Park Forum organised by MIDA and FMM in all regions of the country.
 
The series was not only instrumental in enabling us to take stock of the active Industrial Parks in Malaysia, but to gather all the relevant stakeholders to review and re-strategise the development industrial parks within the country. Through those engagements, we are proud that the first ever Industrial Park Directory in Malaysia has been compiled and published.
 
Given that industrial parks are an integral component of Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem, this Industrial Park Directory that will be launched today, will be a valuable reference for investors to identify suitable locations to house their facilities, complementing their operations’ strength and growth needs. I urge all stakeholders to leverage this available resource to enhance your business competitiveness by strategically positioning your niches to access global markets.
 
In addition, I also understand that MIDA is developing a geographical information system or the GIS Portal, an online portal of Industrial Parks in Malaysia. This is indeed a good initiative. Quality industrial parks are important to support economic development in Malaysia. With these efforts in place, we hope that Malaysia will attract more high quality investments with greater value added activity, advance technology and stronger linkages with the domestic supply chain.

CONCLUSION

Ladies and gentlemen,
 
Today’s forum is an excellent platform for local stakeholders to understand pertinent frameworks in place to strengthen their businesses, particularly in regards to raising capital on Bursa Malaysia. This is complemented further with the Industrial Park Directory, which provides key information on the Malaysian industrial park ecosystem enabling stakeholders to make well informed decisions for their operations.
 
Please seize this opportunity to leverage on the available facilitation and stay informed to remain competitive. MITI with MIDA will continue to intensify our efforts in providing a more conducive business environment for businesses to thrive and sustain in the long-run. On that note, I wish everyone a productive session ahead. Thank you. 

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Mr. Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid
Director, Domestic Investment & Supply Chain Coordination Division
Tel: 03-2267 6633
Email: shamsul@mida.gov.my

--BERNAMA