KUALA LUMPUR: The bumiputera entrepreneurial community should not be restricted to companies in Peninsular Malaysia only, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He made the remarks following the announcement by the Bumiputera Business Excellence Awards (BBEA) 2024 chairman, Datuk Dr Muhamad Iqbal Mohamad, who stated that the BBEA 2025 will be expanded to include the business communities in Sabah and Sarawak.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah stated that this move marks a significant development in the mission of the BBEA to identify and also recognise businesses based in Sabah and Sarawak. He expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, emphasizing its role in promoting inclusivity and acknowledging the contributions of companies nationwide in empowering Malaysia’s economy.

The comments were made during the BBEA 2024 ceremony, which celebrated the accomplishments of bumiputera entrepreneurs, businesses, and corporate figures in Malaysia. Fadillah reinforced the importance of bumip
utera businesses to the national economy, pointing out their vital role in sectors such as construction, services, and manufacturing in 2023.

He also noted the success of bumiputera companies in enhancing exports, with local products and services being marketed in regions including ASEAN, China, and the Middle East.