Tackling current business issues

The Star

22-07-2025

INDUSTRY experts gave tips at the recent Star Outstanding Business Awards 2025 LAB participants on how to navigate the challenging times wrought with geopolitical uncertainties.
Then in the second session, the panel of experts explored different methods that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) seek financing outside of the conventional practice of approaching normal financial institutions.
The afternoon event, which was held at Menara Star to a packed audience, was attended by Star Media Group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and chief operating officer Lydia Wang. Similar to previous labs, there were two sessions that covered two distinct topics.
The first topic explored the challenges that companies face in light of 'The Tariffs and Taxes Aftermath: What is Next for Malaysian Businesses?'
Moderated by the Malaysia Entrepreneurs and Development Association president Datuk Teh Tai Yong, the topic was discussed by panel speakers past SOBA winner Mega Fortris Berhad group managing director and group chief executive officer Datuk Adrian Ng, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd chief operations officer Dr Jason Cheah and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) strategic planning division director Noor Hayati Abu Noh.
The speakers discussed the different scenarios that businesses have to confront, from the 25% tariffs imposed by the United States to the expanded Sales and Service Tax from the government as well as instances of supply chain disruptions due to the civil unrest in the Middle East.
Ng advised businesses to understand themselves and to draw back until the time is right to scale back up.
Noor Hayati both touched on the importance of diversification, either in business or which country to trade with. Cheah urged SMEs that it is time to start looking into environment, social and governance matters as it has a profound impact.
The second session, which was moderated by Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia treasurer Datuk Koong Lin Loong, gave SMEs enlightening information on 'Raising Funds and Accessing Capital for Business Growth'.
Speakers in this session included RHB Bank Berhad SME banking, SME engagement head Sim Ee Chiew, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia chief business officer Sean Tan, PEOPLElogy Berhad founder Allen Lee and Hernan Corporation founder and group CEO Datuk Anna Teo.
The panel gave a lively session as Teo declared she rarely approached banks for financing. She asked businesses to be more flexible and explore other possibilities.
While banks would be the first step for budding businesses, she said entrepreneurs should network and ask about other alternatives, such as private equities.
Tan explained that CGC's job is to transfer the credit risks from a bank to CGC. In the event a business fails, and the SME is unable to pay, CGC will provide the necessary relief.
Ng shared his experience of raising funds via the initial public offering route, which he said was 'more challenging because (Bursa Malaysia) wants the public to trust you (hence the need for) transparency.'
Sim said that banks do much more than just provide loans, they help enhance cash flow and operation efficiency in order to eliminate idle cash, as well as digitalisation services.
Besides the panel discussions, SOBA sponsors introduced their business models and some of their services to the participants.
CGC's SME advisory and strategic alliances head Mike Wong talked about some of the services that are available to SMEs that are seeking ways to finance their companies.
PKT Logistic's presentation was on the company's diversified range of services, from logistics and education to its own inland port, presented by Cheah.
RHB Bank SME business development head Kelvin Chin and U Mobile Sdn Bhd commercial pre-sales section head Lim Swee Mei showcased the services that would benefit SMEs in their businesses.
SOBA 2025 is organised by SMG with CGC, PKT Logistics, RHB Bank and U Mobile as main sponsors, Great Wall Motor Malaysia as co-sponsor, and Matrade as the official trade promotion partner.
It is audited by BDO while radio stations 988 and Suria are official media partners.
For details, call the SOBA hotline at 017-231 1789 or visit www.soba.com.my. Look out for the announcement of the next SOBA LAB 2025, which will be held on Aug 14 at Iconic Hotel, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.