  
News From : DagangHalal.com (20 Nov 2009)
GEORGE TOWN: A paradigm shift is vital among young entrepreneurs in the country to explore new niche areas.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the new areas included the green technology industry, Islamic financial banking and the halal industry. He said entrepreneurs must also be prepared to embrace new technologies and hook up with their global counterparts.
“They should not be afraid to try niche areas and should be more innovative and creative.
“The government is ever ready to assist budding and existing entrepreneurs to ensure they are able to compete with others in the global scene,” he said when launching the Global Entrepreneur Week 2009 at Universiti Sains Malaysia here last night.
He said the government, through its various ministries and agencies, also provided vast opportunities for Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
He also lauded Malaysia’s position as the most active country in Asia and the third in the world after the United States and Britain in encouraging numerous activities throughout the Global Entrepreneur Week.
At the event, Mukhriz presented awards to entrepreneurs.
The Excellent Entrepreneur Award was bagged by Dzulkafli Jalil, chief executive officer of Smart Lab Sdn Bhd, a software company.
State Drainage and Irrigation Department director Hanafi Mohd Noor won an award as the civil servant who helps entrepreneurs the most while Prof Ahmad Shukri Mustafa Kamal of USM received an award for generating a large pool of entrepreneurs from an institution of higher learning.