Chinese Companies Keen To Work With Malaysian SMEs, Says SMECorp

By Zarul Effendi Razali KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's recent visit to China has obviously benefitted small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with the SME Corporation Malaysia (SMECorp) receiving several enquiries from Chinese companies expressing interest to collaborate with their Malaysian counterparts. SMECorp Chief Executive Officer Hafsah Hashim said so far, interest was shown by Chinese SMEs involved in the information and communications technology and services industry. On Nov 1, 2016, Malaysia and China signed 14 MoUs encompassing defence, economy, agriculture, education, finance and construction, witnessed by Najib and his counterpart, Li Keqiang. The Chinese companies, keen to work with Malaysian SMEs, were among those that signed the MoUs with several Malaysian companies that included the East Coast Economic Region Development Corporation which entered into a joint-venture with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. "They (the Chinese companies) have expressed interest to work with local SMEs to source suppliers and create business opportunities and investments which will be brought into the country. "I believe this is a positive impact (of the Prime Minister's visit to China) that will benefit local SMEs," she told Bernama here Monday. Hafsah also said the entry of potential investors from China would expose local SMEs to global business practices. "I also see it as a positive growth for SMEs which will be able to assist Chinese companies by providing access to the local market," she said. -- BERNAMA