PUNB targets 3,000 at Sunday conference

KUALA LUMPUR: The two-day 2013 Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Conference, to take off here on Sunday, expects 3,000 participants from all over the country.

The event is aimed at strengthening the business ties of the participating entrepreneurs, said Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) chairman Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said the inaugural gathering is expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Monday and will involve 13 entrepreneur-related agencies, including Mara, SME Bank and Tekun.

"This meet is the best platform for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to provide their feedback to the prime minister and the relevant agencies on the effectiveness of the entreprenuer development programmes in terms of fundings and trainings as well as for the suggestion of ways to improvise the programme.

"It will be also a good opportunity for the entrepreneurs to network," Khairy said at a press conference here yesterday.

The event will be held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Bukit Kiara here, and is poised to bring together Bumiputera entrepreneurs from the small, medium and large enterprises from varying backgrounds.

Khairy said the event will also be a platform to share best practices and for the resolution of problems faced by entrepreneurs, such as unpaid loans, and the identification of potential entrepreneurs who could be given further assistance and support towards expanding their businesses. Bernama