14 August 2026 • Kota Kinabalu
KOTA KINABALU, 14 August 2026 — Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas) has officially kickstarted a new chapter for Sabah’s business community by partnering with the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Association of Sabah through the Franchisor & Business Engagement Session (FBES) at The Magellan Sutera Resort.
This program brought together 40 local entrepreneurs to bridge the gap between local innovation and nationwide franchise scalability. Also present was Dato’ Rohaizi bin Bahari, Secretary of the Distributive Trade and Business Division at the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), demonstrating support for Sabah’s SME entrepreneurs in their efforts to strengthen and grow their businesses through franchising.
Azizam Ramli, Chief Business Officer of Pernas, noted that while previous sessions in Kuala Lumpur were well-received, Sabah represents a strategic market with a diverse pool of businesses poised for franchise expansion.
"We recognise the immense potential of entrepreneurs in Sabah. Our goal is to ensure that businesses across the country have equal access to the opportunities and resources necessary for sustainable growth," he added.
Dr Tan Hui San, the President of SME Association of Sabah also said, Sabah have many home grown businesses with strong products, unique brands and growth potential. However, taking a business to the next level requires not only a good product, but also the right strategy, resources, knowledge and networks.
“SME Association of Sabah remains committed to connecting our members with government agencies, industry partners and opportunities that can strengthen their businesses and contribute to the growth of Sabah's SME ecosystem,” she added.
The mission to empower entrepreneurs in the Borneo region remains a long-term priority for Pernas. The corporation provides extensive training and capacity-building programmes to entrepreneurs and the public, alongside other relevant support services.
This commitment to elevating Sabah's entrepreneurs will continue with Pernas' upcoming participation in the Sabah International Expo (SIE) 2026, held from 4th to 6th of September 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) by organising Bizfrancais throughout the event. During the expo, Pernas officers will be available to provide complimentary business advice and training sessions to aspiring franchisees and established business owners.
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For more information about this appointment or other Pernas initiatives, please contact:
Nurshuhadah Hamid
Head, Strategic Communication Department
Email : shuhadah.hamid@pernas.my
Tel. No.: +603-3001 7824
Farazuha Aripin
Executive, Strategic Communication Department
Email : farazuha.aripin@pernas.my
Tel. No.: +6017-7246124
PERBADANAN NASIONAL BERHAD (PERNAS)
Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas) is a company owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (Ministry of Finance) with a mandate to spearhead the development of the franchise industry in Malaysia and support the growth of the nation’s entrepreneurial community.
Pernas is committed to empowering the growth of entrepreneurship and the franchise industry in Malaysia. From mentorship to networking opportunities, financing, and training, we aim to expand knowledge, strengthen the franchise community, and nurture the next generation of franchise talent. Through these efforts, we believe we can drive positive change across Malaysia's entrepreneurial landscape.
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