Intel and SME Bank enter into an MOU to support ICT and Entrepreneurship Training Programs for SMEs in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10, 2013 – Intel Malaysia and SME Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore making available two training progams, Intel® Learn Easy Steps and Intel® Entrepreneurship Basics (E-Basics), to SME Bank to complement its existing SME community training and development programs.

The training is proposed to be incorporated into SME Bank’s training courses and will be conducted by SME Bank’s Center of Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR) in an effort to equip SME owners and young entreprenuers with relevant ICT and entreprenuerial skills. Courses are proposed to be offered as a pre-requisite to potential SME owners or Entrepreneurs who are interested to take advantage of the loans offered by SME Bank under the SME Development Scheme Fund.

(From L-R): 
·         Dr. Sheikh Ghazali Sheikh Abod, Director, Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR)
·         Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus, Managing Director, SME Bank
·         Dato' Gumuri Hussain, Chairman, SME Bank
·         Dato Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed, Minister for International Trade and Industry
·         Uday Marty, Managing Director, Intel South East Asia
·         Prakash Mallya, Country Manager of Intel Malaysia and Singapore

 “The MoU signifies the intention of Intel and SME Bank to work together to implement the proposed Intel Learn Easy Steps and E-Basics program to benefit the SME community, and underlines Intel’s commitment as a corporate citizen to provide learning opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and mature SMEs owners to acquire ICT skills that are relevant for day-to-day business operations. Together with SME Bank, we aim to drive technology uptake among SMEs in Malaysia,” said Prakash Mallya, Country Manager of Sales & Marketing for Intel Malaysia and Singapore.

The Intel Learn Easy Steps is a training module suited for adult and youth learners with little or no experience with computers, and who are in need of basic technology skills. This global program is designed specifically to help accelerate access to technology and also introduce effective ways for youth and adults to learn how to use technology to increase and improve opportunities for commerce, education, and communication.

The Intel E-Basics on the other hand is a starter toolkit which contains context-based learning and modules on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. The complete toolkit aims to enable and empower entrepreneurs to get started, develop and run their business more effectively and efficiently with appropriate technology usage.

Y.B. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed Minister of International Trade, who was present at the event to witness the signing of the MoU, said “Intel has done very well in evolving from lower-value manufacturing to moving up the value chain and providing high-income employment opportunities. Intel is a good example of a corporate citizen that contributes immensely to nation-building through their CSR and community development programs.”

The minister noted that the Intel Learn Easy Steps and E-Basics training programs are examples of Intel’s CSR in capacity building for the SMEs, in enhancing the SMEs entrepreneurial skills and equipping the SMEs with IT and entrepreneurial skills.

During the signing ceremony, SME Bank was represented by YBhg. Dr. Sheikh Ghazali Sheikh Abod, Director, Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR) and Intel was represented by its Country Manager, Mr. Prakash Mallya. This MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Y.B. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed Minister of International Trade and Industry together with Chairman of SME Bank, YBhg. Dato’ Gumuri Hussain and Managing Director of Intel South East Asia, Mr. Uday Marty.

Special Promotion for SME Bank clients:
In conjunction with its effort to accelerate ICT adoption to increase and improve opportunities for SMEs in Malaysia, , Intel Malaysia is working with some of its partners to provide enterprise level computers at special prices. One of these partners is Lenovo Malaysia, offering the following packages*:

Lenovo ThinkCentre® Edge 72 : RM 1,572
(upgrade option - 3rd generation Core i3 & 4GB RAM: RM 1,904)
Lenovo V480 : RM 2,138
Lenovo ThinkPad® Twist : RM 3,352
Lenovo ThinkPad® X230 : RM 3,890
Lenovo ThinkPad® T430 : RM 3,919
Lenovo ThinkPad® X1 Carbon : RM 6,662

*The above promotions on Lenovo products are made solely by Lenovo. Lenovo’s terms and conditions apply for such promotions. Please contact Lenovo for more details.