Seminar on grants, perks for SMIs New Straits Times , Thursday, February 02, 2003 A SEMINAR on grants and incentives for small- and medium-scale industries (SMIs) will be held in Kuching on March 12 to encourage SMI firms to utilise all the facilities set up by the Government to help them prosper. Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) deputy chairman Datuk Abang Karim Tun Abang Openg said a number of SMIs in the state have benefitted from these grants and incentives. "The majority of SMIs in the state qualify for these facilities but the utilisation rate is negligible. Maybe they are not aware of their availability, and that is why we are organising this seminar to create greater awareness," he told reporters in Kuching yesterday. Karim said SCCI is keen to help in the development of SMIs because they represented a major engine of growth in the country. "During the financial crisis few years ago, firms that survived were mostly SMIs. One of the reasons is that they are very flexible and can adapt to changing situations better than the big boys," he said. The one-day seminar is jointly organised by SCCI, SMI Development Corp, Malaysian Institute of Accountants, Sarawak Manufacturers Association, Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak, and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak. Its focus will be on the four Industrial Technical Assistance Funds and the special assistance scheme for women entrepreneurs. by Tan Chin Siang Copyright © The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad, Balai Berita 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia