CIMB Islamic and KLSCCCI’S webinar series engages for sustainable growth
CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (CIMB Islamic) and The Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (KLSCCCI) collaborated to bring SME business owners a series of empowering educational webinars from October to December 2021.
Sustainable long-term growth forms the central theme of this initiative, the key to operating in the pandemic, with three sessions covering areas including SME financing solutions, halal business, the “green” or sustainable business market, and digital transformation as levers for growth. The sessions also aim to provide exposure to opportunities for overseas expansion as businesses grow.
The webinars are complimentary and open to all SME entities in Malaysia, including non-members of the KLSCCCI, who stand to benefit from this opportunity for learning and industry exposure.
The first session, Bizready 1.0 – SME Financing Solutions, brought participants on a journey to understand the range of financing programmes available to all SMEs, especially those affected by the pandemic.
The Bizready 2.0 – CIMB HalalBizReady and Digital Transformation webinar brought attention to Malaysia’s strength and leadership in the halal sector, providing local and global opportunities in halal business across the SME sector.
Bizready 3.0 – CIMB GreenBizReady and CIMB Trade Club Alliance were held in December. With the increasing sense of urgency for sustainable practice, SMEs can take advantage of CIMB GreenBizReady, a sustainability solution to start and progress on their sustainability journey.
The CEO of CIMB Islamic Bank, Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, said they valued the collaboration with KLSCCCI to empower the local business community to survive and enjoy healthy growth in the new normal.
“The webinar series is impressive cooperation amongst key industry players that aim to bring the SME community closer to the halal, green and digital economies. Estimated to grow to US$2.4 trillion by 2024, the halal economy holds excellent potential locally and globally, with plentiful opportunities to be accessed by all SME businesses,” said Ahmad Shahriman.
“The webinar sessions are also consistent with CIMB Islamic’s commitment to upholding Value-Based Intermediation, responsible Shariah-compliant practices that have a beneficial and long-term sustainable impact on the economy.”
KLSCCCI president, Datuk Ng Yih Pyng, said with a membership base of over 30,000, the association was honoured to be recognised as a reliable voice for local businesses and also actively strives for the advancement and well-being of this community.
“The pandemic has affected many livelihoods within our SMEs. This strategic partnership with CIMB Islamic can reinvigorate and grow our SME community. It includes bringing them essential information on the potential for growth in the halal and green markets, aided by digitalisation, both at home and abroad,” said Ng.
“This inaugural set of webinars is open to all SME businesses and aims to provide a good platform for SMEs to future-proof their portfolios in the post-pandemic economy. Non-members of KLSCCCI are also very welcome.”