Latest news with #BEEPPlus
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
SME Corp's BEEP Plus propels Sarawak-based SSK Resources to greater heights
Marilyn, SSK Resources' Project Development Executive, during a presentation about the company. KUCHING (July 11): Sarawak-based engineering firm, SSK Resources (M) Sdn Bhd, has experienced significant growth and transformation since participating in the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP) Plus implemented by SME Corp. Malaysia. In 2023, the company which involved primarily in the oil and gas industry, received assistance through the BEEP Plus programme with grant amounting to RM248,680.00 under the Productivity and Automation Enhancement component. The programme has enabled the company to achieve critical improvements across operations and service delivery, thus positioning them as a leading player in the regional market and strengthening its long-term growth potential and international competitiveness. SSK Resources Project Development Executive, Marilyn Awing Jaton said the company recorded a 35 per cent increase in sales for areas related to Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) and design since joining the BEEP Plus programme. 'Joining the programme gave our company the confidence and encouragement to move forward,' she told The Borneo Post. BEEP Plus provides assistance in the form of a matching grant for micro enterprises in Sabah and Sarawak. It was first introduced in 2023 under the Program Pengukuhan Mikro MADANI , following the launch of the MADANI Economic Framework by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. As of June 2025, a total of RM15.69 million in grants has been approved for 184 micro enterprises across Sabah and Sarawak. The programme offers matching grants of up to 70 per cent of project cost or a maximum of RM250,000.00 disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Reverse engineering works using Geomagic Design X and Geomagic Control X software , funded under the BEEP Plus. SSK Resources provides expertise in reverse engineering, renewable energy, turbo machinery and subsea technology project consultancy. Following its establishment in 2006, SSK Resources expanded its operations by opening three branches – its headquarters in Kuching, a branch office in Bintulu, and an operations office in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. While the company's primary focus has been on the domestic market, it is now gearing up for regional expansion into neighbouring countries. In addition, SSK Resources has forged strategic alliances with internationally renowned companies from Germany, China, India and the United States — partnerships that bring cutting-edge technological expertise and deep technical know-how to the table. However, the journey was not without obstacles. One of the main hurdles was securing financial support, in addition to training and development and marketing assistance. 'Out of determination to keep the business afloat, we searched for various support mechanisms and eventually discovered SME Corp. Malaysia's BEEP Plus through the internet,' she revealed. Marilyn noted that BEEP Plus stood out because of its focus on technology and automation, which helped SSK Resources increase operational efficiency. 'We found it appealing and highly relevant to our needs. It improved our operations, reduced reliance on external equipment, and sped up our engineering and design processes,' she said. SSK Resources has since taken a leap forward in 3D technology by developing an innovative product called WISTERIA, a customised 3D-printed insole designed based on an individual's foot structure assessment. The product has received positive feedback from medical professionals, public and private hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and teaching hospitals in Sarawak. Another notable benefit gained from the programme, Marilyn said, was the greater flexibility for on-site 3D scanning, which significantly enhanced project execution. Marilyn with SSK Resources director Fatimah Abdul Latip. Looking to the future, the company is planning to expand its marine services into Vietnam and Singapore and introduce WISTERIA in Brunei and Thailand besides the domestic market. When asked whether SSK Resources would recommend BEEP Plus to other businesses, the answer was an unequivocal yes. 'This programme has helped us increase productivity, reduce costs and access international markets through improved service delivery,' said Marilyn. Eligible expenses under BEEP Plus include product packaging improvement; productivity and automation; brand development and promotion; online applications; e-commerce; e-payment and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems; product development and innovation; purchase of raw material and equipment; rental of business premises; renovation works; and export-related training, courses, seminars or conferences. BEEP Plus SME Corp SSK Resources
Borneo Post
19-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
BEEP Plus helps Brown Eyes Production venture into international frontier
Ramlah briefs SME Corp Malaysia CEO Rizal Dato' Nainy (centre) during a visit by SME Corp Malaysia. TAWAU (June 20): The Government's commitment to empowering Bumiputera micro enterprises in Sabah and Sarawak continues to bear fruit through the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP) Plus implemented by SME Corp. Malaysia. The programme, which was introduced specifically for micro enterprises in both states in 2023 under the Program Pengukuhan Mikro MADANI initiative, has shown a significant impact on local industry players. Brown Eyes Production, a professional photography and videography company in Tawau, Sabah, is among those to have benefited from the programme. Founded by Ramlah Haji Ahmad in 2016, Brown Eyes Production initially operated from home. However, with her strong entrepreneurial spirit combined with strategic support from SME Corp. Malaysia through the BEEP Plus matching grant amounting to RM146,615.70, the company has succeeded in making a major transformation in the creative business landscape in Sabah. Ramlah shows the works produced by her company. Through the assistance, Brown Eyes Production equipped the company with various advanced photography equipment which further boosted the quality of the company's services and professional image. Now, the company is not only known locally but has also penetrated international markets including Switzerland, Indonesia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Vietnam. One of its achievements was when it managed to generate international income of CHF10,000 (RM50,000) through a 10-day photography project in Switzerland and registered as a member of the Swiss Malaysia Chamber of Commerce, thus opening up more global market opportunities. The company also recorded an impressive increase in annual sales from RM604,076 in 2023 to RM850,000 in 2024 – a jump of 41 percent. In addition, Brown Eyes Production managed to double the number of employees from just two to 11 permanent staff, as part of its operational expansion plan. Ramlah is also actively introducing digitalisation in the company's daily transactions. Ramlah attends to queries from customers at her premises. Now, 90 percent of the company's operation has been digitalised using systems such as Niagawan+e-Invois, MySyarikat (HR management), Pixieset (booking/POS/payment/inventory) and the official website. This effort has also contributed to an increase in digital interactions to 1.28 billion views, compared to 400 million previously. As the first female entrepreneur in Sabah to print exclusive albums in-house, she is now focusing on two main branches of the business, namely professional photography and videography services and exclusive album printing. This year, Brown Eyes Production is expanding its services further by offering live drone services and multi-camera production. And to ensure that the level of service quality continues to be superior, the company also implements systematic SOPs and KPIs, in addition to collaborating with industry players, especially in large-scale events such as the Mega Food Festival. Ramlah's success does not stop there. She was also named Outstanding Graduate & Best Participant in the Creating Millionaires Among Young Women Entrepreneur (CREAM@YWE) 2024 Programme, and obtained recognition as the Sabah Talented Women Idol 2024. According to SME Corp. Malaysia, as of May 2025, 173 micro enterprises from Sabah and Sarawak were approved matching grants totaling RM14.28 million under the BEEP Plus programme. Ramlah shows photography equipment funded under the BEEP Plus. The programme offers matching grant of up to 70 percent of project costs or a maximum of RM250,000.00 covering various business components including branding, digitalisation, automation, training and premises renovation. BEEP Plus has proven to be an important catalyst for micro enterprises such as Brown Eyes Production to remain competitive at the global level. Apart from BEEP Plus, Ramlah is also a participant of the GrowBiz Programme by SME Corp. Malaysia and is one of the Top 5 GrowBiz entrepreneurs 2024/2025 in Sabah and Sarawak regions. This success story proves that with the right strategy, Government support and high commitment, Bumiputera micro enterprises from rural areas can also carve their own success in the international arena. BEEP Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme SME Corp
Borneo Post
03-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
First MSME Hub in East Malaysia to boost Sabah entrepreneurs
Ewon (middle) expresses his excitement over the opening of the MSME Hub Sabah. Dompok is at left and at right is SME Corp Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Rizal Dato Nainy. PENAMPANG (May 3): SME Corp Malaysia launched its new office and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Hub Sabah branch here on Saturday. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick described the occasion as a historic event, as it marks the first of its kind to be established in East Malaysia. He said the MSME hub he had long envisioned was developed to provide facilities for the business community and aspiring entrepreneurs in Sabah, particularly in the Penampang district. He said that the hub shall serve as a one-stop centre for MSME to obtain advisory services from business counsellors and access information on entrepreneurship programmes offered by the government. 'I am truly excited to witness the effectiveness of this hub, and I hope the facility will be well utilised by all,' he said. 'This is because, as I was informed, in 2024 a total of 10,035 MSME physically visited the SME Corp Malaysia MSME Hub, while 2,607 MSME visited the hub between January and March 2025.' He added that with the launch of this hub, it will be easier for MSME in Sabah to obtain fast, accurate, and comprehensive information on entrepreneurship and business, explore business opportunities, learn best business practices, and access essential information on starting a business, market access, human capital development, financial resources, industry updates, and various other aspects of business. Ewon said this during the launch of the BEEP Plus Programme in Donggongon, near here, on Saturday, which was also attended by the chairman of SME Corp. Malaysia, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Bernard Giluk Dompok. 'I am pleased with the success of the programmes we have introduced, especially for micro-enterprises in East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), in line with the Look East Within the Country policy that I have initiated. Considering the positive response from MSME in Sabah and Sarawak, the BEEP Plus programme will continue to be implemented in 2025,' he said. During the event, Ewon also announced that 15 MSME entrepreneurs from Sabah would be receiving grants under the BEEP programme. Commending the recipients, Ewon said they represented Bumiputera MSME entrepreneurs in Sabah who have demonstrated strong potential and the commitment required to qualify for the grants, which total RM841,099.97. 'I hope and pray that all of you will achieve outstanding success and contribute to the socio-economic development of your respective districts and of Sabah,' he said. Ewon also reminded that the year 2025 marks the final year of the 12th Malaysia Plan and that planning and groundwork have already begun for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). 'Efforts to upscale business size through MSME scaling strategies will be a key focus of national MSME development for the period from 2026 to 2030,' he said. Ewon also revealed that, based on data analysed by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the number of micro enterprises in 2023 declined by 6.9%, falling to 767,421 from 923,667 in 2022. Meanwhile, the number of small enterprises increased by 35.8%, and medium enterprises grew by 7.9%, he said. 'These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of government policies and interventions through the implementation of targeted programmes and initiatives for MSME. In efforts to stimulate the growth of more resilient and sustainable MSME, the government remains committed to intensifying efforts to empower MSME, particularly in facing future challenges and uncertainties,' he said. At the same time, Ewon reaffirmed that KUSKOP remains firmly committed to supporting MSME in their transition towards digitalisation. 'This has become a central agenda within various government policies and strategies under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), building on the momentum of the 12MP Mid-Term Review, which set a clear target of having 90 per cent of MSME digitalise their business operations by 2025,' he said. He added that, in line with this agenda, KUSKOP — through SME Corp Malaysia — signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) on 25 March 2025. The collaboration aims to ensure that MSME receive holistic support, including access to financing, digital tools, and capacity building, to facilitate their successful transition into the digital economy. The government remains committed to ensuring that MSME are not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
