Maximus: Networking and ICT skills basic to successful entrepreneurship
New Sabah Times, 8 March 2003

KOTA KINABALU: Bandau MP Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili urged small bumiputera entrepreneurs to upgrade skills in business management and corporate networking in order to compete in the ever changing business environment.

Speaking at the closing of a workshop on bumiputera entrepreneurship organised by the Sabah Branch of Dewan Usahawan Industri Desa (DUID) yesterday afternoon at a leading hotel here, he said good business skills and acumen were required if small entrepreneurs were to succeed in competing for business opportunities.

The workshop organised by DUID with the support of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs was attended by some 110 young bumiputera entrepreneurs. The topics covered included the basics of company set-up, intellectual property rights and business opportunities in the public sector.

“The business environment today is very competitive with opportunities driven by advances in information technology and communications (ICT). To capture and exploit the business opportunities available, one must have good business acumen and ICT skills,” he said.

Ongkili who is also PBS Deputy President explained that most business information was now available on-line through various websites rather than through the traditional printed media, thereby requiring entrepreneurs to be ICT literate and knowledgeable.

“Given that changing business environment that entrepreneurs have to operate, networking among entrepreneurs is also critical in order to pool information and make correct investment decisions,” he stressed.

Business chambers such as DUID therefore had an important role to play in facilitating networking, skills upgrading and information pooling, he added.