'Bumiputera businessman must come out of comfort zone to succeed'

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said to succeed in a globalised world, bumiputeras need to give their complete dedication.

"Bumiputeras will have to be competitive. Our job in the government is to build competitiveness among this group so that they can be on par with other international tycoons.

"These business people have to more creative while being different from the rest and never fear to build up their business," he told reporters after officiating the first annual general meeting of Koperasi Sahabat Karya Berhad, here Sunday.

Tajuddin said bumiputera businessmen have to change their attitude and mindset about businesses so that they will not be left behind in this industry.

"They have to change now if they want to be well reckoned with in this fast moving industry, they have to be cost-effective, they cannot be selling something more expensive than what other people are selling.

"The quality of things they sell has to be as good as others if not better, try to be different from the rest in order to achieve what they want."

He stressed the arrival of immigrants to this country has made it even more challenging for bumiputeras to survive in business.

"We are now competing with the immigrants. They are business people who control the wholesale markets in places like Jalan Masjid India and others.

"It is sad for us (Bumiputera) to give up the licences, business opportunities and places of business. We are happy with the small commissions and payment that we can get from them.