ED 47: January-February 2013

26
Co m m E n ta r y
Over the Horizon
Hot Countries SMEs should look out for when considering growth opportunities
asia in 2013 – optimistic Despite challenges ahead
With a 5.5 per cent growth in 2012, Asia’s growth is estimated to have been about 0.5 per cent below the growth figure of
2011, despite expanding about 2 percentage points faster than the global average. Nonetheless, Asia is still positioned for
growth as economic momentum is set to gradually pick up in 2013, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Other than Myanmar, known as the last frontier of Asia and also believed by many as a country of great opportunity and
growth, two other countries which SMEs can look to tap into to help their businesses grow and sustain are iskandar,
Malaysia, and the land of technology, Seoul, korea.
iskandar, Malaysia – Businesses
looking to relocate and expand
To curb rising cost, for sustainability and
growth
Vast and expansive land area, ample
manpower and a mere stone’s throw
away from Singapore, the up and coming
economic zone, Iskandar – located just
north of Singapore and highly accessible
by both Singapore causeways, sea ports,
airports etc. will be the next IT thing in
2013 and beyond for local SMEs.
With the current rising cost and manpower
shortage situation in Singapore, Iskandar
could be the preferred alternative for your
Seoul, South korea – Businesses
looking to improve productivity,
innovation and technology of
products
To improve productivity through
technology
Amidst the government’s push for
productivity and innovation, increasing
Ja n | FE b 2013
En t r E p r E n E u r s’ Di g E s t
business relocation or for those looking
to expand to this growing region and
new potential market.
Understanding the concerns that SMEs
do have for relocating or expanding
to this area – such as political stability,
security issues, and the ability to find the
right manpower etc., the Association of
Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) is
currently spearheading a project to help
SMEs move to Iskandar. The notion of
ASME taking the lead is to dispel some
of the security concerns that SMEs have,
and to help provide first hand trusted
information about the region and areas
that ASME is looking into.
number of SMEs are looking into
streamlining their operations, improving
the productivity and technologies –
which in the long run, aids growth and
sustainability of their businesses.
What better way to learn more about
the latest, advanced and modern
technology than our fellow Asian peer:
South Korea. Its renowned K-pop and
Speaking to a few potential developers
and currently conducting a survey to find
out the needs of SMEs in the Iskandar
region, ASME will pick the most practical
and highly sought after areas, according
to the majority of its SMEs’ needs. Site
visits, briefings and seminars have been
conducted, and ASME will continue
to plan this on an ongoing basis for
interested SMEs.
Still in its initial development, more
information on this initiative will be
announced and disseminated to
members and SMEs once firmed. For
those interested to find out more, please
contact: corpcomms@asme.org.sg
K-Wave are not the only internationally
known Korean distinctive; South Korea is
also one of the leading countries for its
relentless modernistic city of innovative
technology, specialising in electronics,
telecommunications, auto-production,
steel, shipbuilding and chemical
production. Some of the world’s biggest
players stem from South Korea, including
Samsung, LG and Hyundai.