KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Economic Community is imperative to the growth of Small Medium Enterprises (SME) said International Trade and Industry Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria. She said that the ministry had drawn up a strategic action plan for the sector in the spirit of ensuring the small companies are included in the regional development. "No Asean country will serve their individual population alone after this.

"Malaysia for instance would open up their market to the entire region which serving 600 million compared to just serving our population of 20 million," she said while opening the Young Indian Entrepreneurs Award. She also said the ministry is currently helping small companies expand by engaging with business stakeholders in South Korea and New Zealand to increase the reach of Malaysian SMEs to a global level.

She however admitted that the ministry had not fully communicated the benefits of the single market system. The event which took place at Istana Hotel Kuala Lumpur here yesterday and was organised by the Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs Cooperative.