Grant for Enhancing Product Packaging, Design and Labeling Capabilities of SMEs

Introduction:
The Scheme provides assistance to SMEs to acquire and improve product packaging, design and labeling. It enables companies to improve their product packaging to enhance product appearance and comply with market regulations. A total of RM100 million has been allocated to implement the Scheme.

Qualifying Criteria:
- Manufacturing companies or companies providing manufacturing related services incorporated under the Companies Act 1965 with annual sales turnover of not exceeding RM25 million or full-time employees not exceeding 150
- For the services sector, businesses must be incorporated under the Registration of Business Ordinance 1956 with an annual sales turnover of not exceeding RM5 million or full-time employees not exceeding 50
- At least 60% equity held by Malaysians
- Possess valid premise license

Sector Coverage:
- Manufacturing and manufacturing related services**
- Distributive trade (retail and wholesale)

Objectives:
The Scheme provides assistance to SMEs in designing and improving product packaging and labeling through appropriate packaging technology.

Form of Assistance:
Assistance is given in the form of a matching grant where 50% of the approved project cost is borne by the Government and the remainder by the applicant. The maximum grant allocated per company is RM200,000.

Eligible Expenses:
- Expenditure related to designing and improving product packaging and labeling
- Costs of acquiring services of experts to design product packaging (structure and surface) and labeling
- Costs of trademark and patent registration
- Costs of related services for designing, packaging and labeling such as microbe or nutrition testing and packaging testing
- Costs of materials used in designing and developing prototypes

** Main activities under manufacturing related services are:
- Research and Development ( R & D) such as product/ process development and software development
- Product and Process Design
- Distribution and Logistics such as warehousing, freight forwarding, bulk-breaking, international procurement centre, haulage
- Marketing such as packaging and market research
- Environmental Management
- Other related services such as engineering support services, gas sterilization services, calibration and testing services

Application:
Application can be made using the PNL 1/2005 form which can be obtained free of charge from SMIDEC's offices or downloaded using URL below:

http://www.smidec.gov.my/pdf/PACKAGINGFORM1.pdf

For further information please contact:
Packaging and Labeling Secretariat
Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC)
701D, Level 7, Tower D, Uptown 5
No. 5, Jalan SS21/39, Damansara Utama
47400 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel : 03 - 7628 7400
Fax : 03 - 7660 1920
E-mail : info@smidec.gov.my
Hotline : 1-800-18-1801 (Toll-Free)

Or:

Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC)
Sarawak office
Tingkat 3, Menara Grand
Lot 42, Section 46
Jalan Ban Hock
93100 Kuching
Sarawak
Tel: 6082-252 955/ 238 955/ 256 955
Fax: 6082-253 955
Contact Person : En. Ismail Hashim (Regional Director)
En. Mohd Faizul Ishak (Asst. Regional Director)

Source: SMIDEC

Posted Date: 23 Nov 2005