INFORMATIVE WORKSHOP... SCCI officials led by Lau (second left) calling on the public to grab the opportunity to learn more about available government funds and procedures.

MIRI: The Miri branch of Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI) is encouraging more Sarawakians to take up more of the 40 different government grants for small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) by hosting an educational workshop cum seminar this month.

Its chairman Datuk Jimmy Lau urged all those interested, particularly members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bumiputera counterparts in DUBS, MEPA and other organisations, to turn up for this informative workshop cum seminar on April 24 this year at Mega Hotel.

"Very few are taking up the grants because of ignorance and the seminar will enable participants to be aware of the grants and how to apply for them," he told a press conference.

Entitled 'Workshop on Financial Scheme and Incentives for SMEs, and Special Financial Scheme for Women Entrepreneurs', this event is held to promote overall development of small medium industries (SMIs) in the country. It will also be held in Sibu and Bintulu.

It is also to encourage development of modern and sophisticated indigenous SMIs in tandem with strategic direction of the industrial development and to develop it into an efficient and competitive sector which is capable of producing high value-added and quality products, components and related services for the global market.

Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC) will provide an insight into financial assistance and incentives availability through Industrial Technical Assistance Funds (ITAFs).

ITAF 1 grant is for business planning and development with a matching grant of RM40,000; ITAF 2 for Product and Process Improvement (RM500,000), ITAF 3 for Productivity and Quality Improvement and Certificate (RM250,000) and ITAF 4 for Market Development Schemes (RM40,000).

SMIDEC was established on May 2, 1996 to promote development of SMIs through advisory services, fiscal and financial assistance, infrastructural facilities, technologies enhancement, human resources development, market access and other support programmes.

According to SCCI Miri branch, there would be a panel discussion, which would be chaired by Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg, who is also deputy president of SCCI.

The panel members include Director of Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Mohd Zainy Mohd Zain, Director of Malaysia Industrial Development (MIDA) Onn Abdullah, Director of National Productivity Corporation (NPC) Mustapha Sufa'at, Malaysian Industrial Development Finance (MIDF) manager Mathem Bilong and Business Development executive of Pusat Pembangunan Kemahiran Sarawak (PPKS) Muhamad Halil.

The registration fee is RM50 per person, inclusive of lunch and tea break.

Registration would be conducted on the day itself at the entrance of the venue but those interested are advised to notify the organiser.

They can contact branch vice chairman Edward Luwak (019-8848102), secretary Edward Lau (019-8841150) or Josephine (085-417700).

Meanwhile, Lau urged entrepreneurs to join SCCI to benefit from the many activities and events organised to widen their horizon and prospects in commerce and industries.

Among the upcoming events are seminar of Nutrition Labelling & Claims at Holiday Inn Kuching (April 10), seminar on doing business with Maldives (Kuala Lumpur, April 16), Malaysian Business Code of Ethics (Kuching, April 16), Regional Corporate Economic Briefing (Kuching, April 16), Trade and Investment Mission to West Asia (April 27-May 6) and Travel and Trade Fair (Pontianak, May 15-18).