UEM Edgenta Berhad (“UEM Edgenta” or the “Company”), the region’s leading Asset Management & Infrastructure Solutions company, recently organised its Vendor Day 2023, held to appreciate and further strengthen existing relationships with vendors who have successfully contributed to the growth and excellence of the Company. Also present gracing the event was YB Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD).
Vendor Day 2023 is not only a platform to appreciate vendors. In fact, the event organised by UEM Edgenta, driven by the cooperation and support from the Franchise and Vendor Development Division under MECD, is a continuation of the momentum and efforts in creating an integrated and conducive vendor ecosystem. Indirectly, this event also ensures that the vendor community does not miss out on benefiting from empowerment events through various initiatives organised by MECD.
In her speech, Hillary Chua, Chief Financial Officer, UEM Edgenta shared, “Among the initiatives that have been implemented to improve the performance of vendors include UEM Edgenta’s Supplier Financing Programme (SFP), which was launched on 30 August 2022, through our collaboration with HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad. The first in Asia, this programme offers financing facilities to vendors that are based on Islam/Sharia. The aim of this programme is to strengthen the bumiputra vendor development programme in Malaysia and support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) suppliers in obtaining very low interest rates and easy financing without collateral. This programme also provides MSME with the necessary cash flow and working capital to finance their day-to-day operations, thus enabling them to grow into larger companies.”
“The next initiative is the Strategic Vendor Management (“SVM”) framework. Through this initiative, the Company was able to develop a strategic vendor management framework and create a methodology to evaluate vendor performance, benefiting both organisations at the same time. To support the government’s aspirations in the development of bumiputra vendors in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, the Company has also introduced the Vendor Development Programme (“VDP”). This three-year development programme aims to provide opportunities for sustainable business growth and foster resilience in the face of a challenging business environment. This programme will also enhance vendors’ ability to explore business opportunities outside of Edgenta and create a competitive development platform to build an excellent vendor reputation,” added Hillary.
Syahrunizam Samsudin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, UEM Edgenta, shared “We are always committed to strengthen our vendor network in our effort to realise ‘Edgenta of the Future 2025’, where excellence and technological advances are viewed as the main drivers of our business offerings. The future of the Company is driven and realised through the collaboration with more than 1,700 registered vendors.”
“We are cognizant of the needs of UEM Edgenta registered vendors. This is clear through the development and funding programmes organized and which aim to further strengthen the vendors in today’s dynamic business environment. We are confident that our initiatives that include the Supply Chain Financing Programme (“SFP”), the Vendor Management Framework, and the bumiputra Vendor Development Program (“VDP”) can directly support and impact the development and growth of vendors’ businesses, ” added Syahrunizam.
YB Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, emphasised in his opening speech, the important role played by private strategic partnerships such as UEM Edgenta in realising the VDP, a programme supervised by MECD.
He added, “To date, more than 16 UEM Edgenta entrepreneurs have received various benefits from the VDP programme such as the Vendor Capacity and Capability Development Program, the Vendor Innovation and Commercialisation Grant and the International Market Access Programme.”
The ceremony also witnessed YB Datuk Ewon Benedick presenting the Vendor Development Programme Award to seven (7) entrepreneurs and the Outstanding Performance Special Award, received by six (6) entrepreneurs. Five (5) entrepreneurs received the Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) Special Award presented by Hillary Chua.
In addition to witnessing recognition through the presentation of awards in various categories, vendors registered under UEM Edgenta were also presented with a variety of interesting programmes throughout the event. Among them were briefing sessions on “Strategic Vendor Management Framework” by UEM Edgenta representatives and also informative sharing sessions related to vendors such as the Supply Chain Financing Programme, including topics that touch on Environmental, Social & Governance (“ESG”) initiatives as well as Risk, Integrity & Compliance. In addition, several sessions riding on the concept of Business Matching Sessions were also held together with vendors and featured UEM Edgenta’s core business units such as Infrastructure Services, Healthcare Solutions, Property & Facility Solutions together with OPUS Consultants (M) Bhd (a wholly owned subsidiary of UEM Edgenta).
Vendor Day 2023 is evident of the close cooperation between UEM Edgenta and the Government to implement economic and infrastructure reforms in line with the Government’s wishes in the MADANI Malaysia concept and help Malaysia emerge as an economic leader in the Southeast Asian region.
Also present at the event was YBhg. Dato’ Sri Suriani binti Dato’ Ahmad, Secretary General of MECD and YBhg. Datuk Haji Zamri Salleh, Deputy Secretary General (Entrepreneurial Development) of MECD.
For more information on Vendor Day 2023 and its programmes, logon to https://www.uemedgenta.com.
