SHAH ALAM, Aug 9 — Micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) owners must be empowered so the state can produce more multinational corporations (MNCs), said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He pointed to their ability to penetrate international markets and become main drivers of Selangor’s economic growth, but said the MSME-to-MNC target can only be realised with a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem including financing, digitalisation, innovation, and continued support from the state government.
“We believe the MSME network has to be empowered. With support from the government and provided platforms, it is not just a promotional medium, but could form a large, strong business network,” he said at the Platform Selangor (PLATS) Awards Night at Sunway Resort Hotel in Petaling Jaya on Friday.
He said PLATS, which was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, has grown beyond its original function as an online sales platform, and is now an entrepreneur development institution that provides guidance and strategic links, and expedites businesses’ digitalisation.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw a gap to fill through digitalisation. In five to six years, PLATS’ growth has been quite encouraging.
“It started as a network, then grew into a digitalisation, guidance centre, and institution that helps entrepreneurs achieve success,” he added.
Amirudin said PLATS, which has guided 100,000 entrepreneurs, proves the strength of Selangor’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Previously there were only around 37,000 entrepreneurs, but now the network has exceeded 100,000 entrepreneurs. This is no small feat. If this network is amalgamated, it is no longer a matter of competition, but it becomes a major power that supports one another and presents great impact to the state economy,” he explained.
The third MAPS was held thanks to a strategic collaboration between the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation), or MBI, and local authorities.
Organised by Yayasan MBI, MAPS saw 23 awards presented in nine categories, including innovation, digitalisation, community development, women and youth leadership, and technology usage in business.
On Friday, while tabling the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2), Amirudin said PLATS will be made the state’s premier entrepreneurship programme.
“To refresh the entrepreneurial ecosystem, PLATS will … see that 150,000 SMEs throughout Selangor receive guidance, training (on) digital skills, financial management skills, and business development strategies,” he added.
