Gerakan SME Bureau kicks off #BforB plan for business sustainability

Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan), an independent political party has announced a #BforB (Business for Business) plan to assist local businesses transform, build resilience and sustainability now to prepare them for post Movement Control Order (MCO).

#BforB is a business advisory platform that aims to build a collaborative environment for Malaysian businesses as the party believes that local businesses cannot work in silo and remain focused on their own profitability as both B2B and B2C markets have taken a hit from the COVID-19 crisis.

“Taking China, as an example, Gerakan foresees local businesses may still suffer, even after the stimulus packages kick in and reopening post MCO. A lot of companies are already finding it hard to manage the current pause in business. It is no longer going to be business as usual. So we have to take measures to reset, reinvent, reconnect, realign the supply chain and reboot Malaysia’s economy,” shared Mr. Gary Lee, Project Head and Deputy Secretary General, Gerakan.

“On a micro level, buying power may be reduced as spending habits changed due to job losses, pay cuts, fear of losing jobs or general self-imposed precautionary measures. Given the world is still fighting this global pandemic, travel restrictions, export restrictions, operational disruptions, budget freezes would continue to impact Malaysian businesses negatively,” he added.

Quoting Bank Negara, Gary said a projection of up to -2 percent GDP reduction this year is expected due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gerakan SME Bureau, which has been tasked to assist in this project, foresees continued demand in areas such as personal protection and hygiene items.

The party further urges Malaysian businesses that have the resources to be part of this ecosystem (e.g. cleaning services, chemical supplies, fabric, packaging, marketing support, accounting, financial services, food supply, logistics etc) to support each other in order to create a more sustainable business environment for Malaysians.

Mr. Gary added, “Our MCO measures are showing its effect and hopefully when we flatten the curve, businesses will be allowed to resume operations. We call on businesses to take initiatives to change their operations, business model and offerings now to ensure business sustainability.

“Considering the global fight against this pandemic, we should also look at ways to fill the gaps in the supply chain and manage the growing shortage of essentials. We can provide tools, methods and platforms for owners to be back on business and ultimately get more people to be back to work. We hope to connect businesses to address both these issues and also tap into the export market.”

The business advisory platform will be available to local businesses of all sizes for consultancy as well as coordination for services which include but not limited to Business Transformation and Management Advisory; Back to Work SOP & Guidelines; Factory Transformation & Processes; Application of Permits, Licenses; Application for Stimulus Package; Branding, PR & Media Relations; Transportation, Logistics & Delivery; Levelling up Businesses to Digital Platforms and Legal Advisory.

“We will be managing this through our network of members who are mostly professionals or business owners themselves in different fields. They have all graciously volunteered their time and knowledge to build the advisory platform so we can help rebuild businesses in Malaysia.

“We wish to build a master repository of local businesses and assist them in identifying collaborative opportunities. We hope business owners will come on board and register at Gerakan SME Bureau #BforB advisory platform so we can all make it through this challenging time together,” said Ms Wendy Subramaniam, Deputy Secretary General, Gerakan.

This platform will be activated in phases starting with the Central Region (Selangor & Kuala Lumpur), followed by Phase 2 – Northern Region (Perak, Kedah, Penang & Perlis), Phase 3 – Southern Region (Negeri Sembilan, Melaka & Johor), Phase 4 – Eastern Region (Pahang, Kelantan & Terengganu) and Phase 5 – East Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak & Labuan).

Businesses can reach Gerakan’s #BforB Busisness Advisory Hotline via Whatsapp text or voice messaging at 011-14350124, via email at [email protected] or at #BforB Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/B4B-Business-for-Business-101169301558529

Previous articleMah Sing donates 30,000 face masks to Ministry of Home Affairs
Next articlePropertyGuru eases burden on developers with TechCare amid Covid-19 pandemic

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here