THE move to convert grants for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into soft loans is to make entrepreneurs more accountable and reduce their dependence on government funds, says Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak.

He said soft loans, of which the interest charge is lower than the market's, would allow more SMEs to benefit from the financing scheme. Grants are limited and thus, would not be accessible to many entrepreneurs.

"In fact, if the SMEs were successful (in their venture), especially those who innovate, their returns would be manifold and they can afford to repay the loans," he told a news conference after opening the SME Innovation Showcase - SMIDEX 2010 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 June 2010 – SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia) is organising the SMIDEX 2010 - SME Innovation Showcase, from 1 – 3 June 2010 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with the theme “Pioneering Business Transformation through Innovation”. The event was officiated by YAB Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak. In his speech at the launching ceremony, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib said “creativity and innovation are among the strategic thrusts that support the New Economic Model (NEM), and are very important elements in transforming Malaysia to a developed nation status.”

Miti mahu tingkat syarikat peroleh pendapatan lebih RM25j

KEMENTERIAN Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (Miti), menerusi Majlis Pembangunan Keusahawanan mulai tahun ini akan meningkatkan lagi usahanya menambah bilangan usahawan Bumiputera dalam sektor pembuatan.

Menterinya, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, berkata keputusan itu dicapai pada mesyuarat pertama majlis itu semalam.

Beliau berkata, bilangan usahawan Bumiputera yang terbabit dalam sektor pembuatan dengan pendapatan tahunan lebih RM25 juta ketika ini hanya merangkumi tiga peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan syarikat yang bergiat dalam sektor itu.