MDV allocates RM300m for green technology

Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd (MDV), owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated, is allocating RM300 million this year for
its newly launched Green Technology Financing Programme.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Md Zubir Ansori Yahaya said under the programme, MDV would work together with Malaysia Green Technology Corp, to identify potential green certified companies for financial assistance.

"Green technology is a key driver in the nation's development and an impetus for change in the world.

"Malaysia is well positioned to be a global leader in green technology. We are committed to playing a role in this growth industry, towards a sustainable future for Malaysia," he told reporters after the launch of the programme here, today.

The Green Technology Financing programme is MDV's third focus area, following Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Biotechnology.

The MDV programme is for local green technology companies growing beyond the pre-commercialisation stage.

With the new loan facility, eligible companies are able to receive contract financing from as low as RM250,000, with financing margins of up to 85 per cent of the contract value and loan tenure periods of up to 10 years.

"At MDV, we work hard to fill in the funding gaps in the financial ecosystem while providing financing for high growth in emerging sectors like ICT, biotechnology and green technology," Zubir added.

To make the loan process easier for potential borrowers, it has been simplified, taking no more than 45 working days upon submission with complete company and project documentation.

Beyond funding facilities, MDV also provides value-added services to its clients, ranging from advisory services to guidance in industry best practices. --

Bernama
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110503153207/Article/index_html

Using ICT to compete in the global economy

KUALA LUMPUR: Local businesses must make use of the latest information and communication technology (ICT) solutions to enhance their productivity and to compete in the global economy, said SME Corp Malaysia CEO Datuk Hafsah Hashim.
She said one of the criteria for developed countries was that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should contribute to at least 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP), but local SMEs currently contributed 31% to GDP.
“This means that SMEs have to grow 1% or more per annum to reach the desired 40% by 2020 (the year Malaysia aims to achieve a developed-nation status). We need a leapfrog growth driven by innovation and productivity,” she said at the launch of Microsoft's Office 365 cloud computing service.
The launch marked the beginning of a private-public partnership between SME Corp and Microsoft Malaysia to enhance the take-up of cloud computing among Malaysian businesses.
Office 365 is Microsoft's newest ICT solution that utilises cloud computing to integrate business function over four primary products - office, sharepoint online, exchange online, and lync online.
“SME Corp and Microsoft will also promote the cloud service through joint roadshows as well as a Microsoft booth in SME Corp's new one-stop referral centre in KL Sentral,” Microsoft Malaysia managing director Ananth Lazarus told StarBiz.
Hafsah also said SME Corp would use the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (Score) programme to evaluate the ICT effectiveness of SMEs. SME Corp will take the lead in adopting cloud computing by using Office 365 in their KL Sentral office.

By JOHN LOH
johnloh@thestar.com.my