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MESSAGE FROM YAYASAN USAHAWAN MALAYSIA CHAIRMAN
NITESH MALANI
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Founder & Chairman I am pleased to be among the honorees for the 6th edition of the SMEs and Entrepreneurs Business Awards (SEBA), 2021. This honour stands alone as a proud testament to your hard work and dedication, and it sets you apart from the crowd of notable entrepreneurial leaders. It is the start of a journey, and much remains to be done. Carry on with your lives and strive hard to achieve your goals.
This year’s awards gala theme is “Thriving the Waves,” which fits the business environment after the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic has undoubtedly had the most significant impact on entrepreneurs, particularly small and mediumsized businesses with little financial resources. COVID-19’s disruptive reforms have significantly impacted the global economy; as a result, it is up to entrepreneurs to restore balance by implementing transformation. Businesses were driven to embrace the tsunami of change, adapt, and adjust accordingly in order to stay afloat. When confronted with a sea of change, you must aspire to be someone who shows resilience and drive to ride the waves and go forward rather than succumbing to the problems.
The coronavirus was discovered two years ago, and the world transformed in a blink of an eye. Overnight, all non-essential enterprises were ordered to shut down, plummeting the global economy into the most significant recession since World War II. The livelihood of every person on the planet was jeopardised when most economical operations came to a halt. Jobs were lost. Businesses could not operate for months
on end. As we approach a phase where enterprises and the coronavirus must coexist, entrepreneurs need to be innovative and give their 110% to reemergence. Our nation’s economy is slowly recovering, but with the emergence of a new COVID variant, it is impossible to determine how it will affect recovery.
We at Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia understands that SMEs need help now more than ever. The government’s recent establishment of the #keluargaMalaysia initiative encourages us to help each other regardless of race, religion, and ethnicities. We have been having numerous meetings and discussions with key governmental and private entities and the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC), which implements the #bangsausahawan project, which focuses on nurturing and assisting a generation of entrepreneurs.
SEBA is one of Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia’s annual efforts, and it works in tandem with the #bangsausahawan project. It is the most robust platform within the organisation as it motivates SMEs and entrepreneurs. Resilient businesses that have managed to achieve their vision and mission during these trying times are celebrated and recognised by SEBA. SEBA offers the necessary tools and networking opportunities to ensure that the SME sector experience continuous growth. In addition to SEBA, Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia has also introduced the e-magazine Asia Connects in 2021 for its members and the public. Asia Connects is a multi-dimensional platform dedicated to inspiring, championing and amplifying the voices of Malaysian entrepreneurs. With the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) support, this free resource is part of Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia’s ongoing endeavour to create a collaborative network amongst small and medium businesses and entrepreneurs in both public and private institutions throughout Southeast Asia. This e-magazine provides insights into some of the brightest minds in varying industries, enabling entrepreneurs to learn and grow at every step of their journey.
SEBA was launched in 2016 to empower businesses, while Asia Connects acts as the voice of Malaysia’s entrepreneurs. We aim to continue offering services that matter to SMEs and entrepreneurs.
As 2021 draws to a close, we look forward to a fresh start and a better year in 2022. Businesses have begun to resume operations, giving the economy a chance to recover and rebound. I envisage more inventive entrepreneurs and businesses in this new beginning and a prosperous and inclusive SME society. I am eager to see your accomplishments soon.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the 6th SME and Entrepreneurs Business Awards winners, as you have elevated your standing as the crème de la crème of Malaysian SMEs and entrepreneurs. You have inspired us all to grow and develop. Your resilience, determination, innovation and dexterity are commendable in these difficult times. SEBA would like to thank all the partners, sponsors, organisers, and committees that made this event possible.
