SPEECH BY

YANG AMAT BERHORMAT DATO’ SRI HAJI FADILLAH YUSOF

Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia

SHELL LIVEWIRE MALAYSIA

NATIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY

15 July 2023 – Saturday

TEGAS Digital Village, Kuching

Salutation

Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Len Talif Salleh 

Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment

Chairman of Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS)

Yang Berusaha Puan Siti Sulaiman

Country Chair, Shell Malaysia

Senior Vice President, Upstream Malaysia

Board Members and senior management of TEGAS

Heads of Departments, Officials and Representatives from Shell

Valued Members of the Media

Shell LiveWIRE Entrepreneurs 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Assalamualaikum, Good Morning and Salam Sejahtera.

I am honored to be here today at TEGAS Digital Village for the Shell LiveWIRE National Awards ceremony, celebrating the remarkable achievements of entrepreneurs. It brings me great pleasure to meet entrepreneurs from this program representing various regions of Malaysia who have gathered here today.

This event marks a strategic effort to unite our entrepreneurial community, harnessing their innovation to find solutions that contribute to job creation, social impact, and economic growth. Such collaborative endeavors are vital for fostering progress, reducing poverty, and promoting social cohesion. While the Malaysian government has taken significant steps towards these goals, it is essential to continue working hand-in-hand with the private sector to expedite our efforts in this field.

Here, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Shell Malaysia for bringing and organizing this flagship enterprise development program to our country. The Shell LiveWIRE program, operating in 20 countries worldwide, has made lasting positive impacts on numerous lives.

Today's event is a significant milestone as we gather with key stakeholders to celebrate the accomplishments of Shell LiveWIRE program entrepreneurs. Witnessing the entrepreneurial community come together to cultivate a thriving startup ecosystem for Malaysia is truly inspiring. We cannot foster an innovative and creative society if we work alone, hence it is crucial to identify gaps and find collaborative solutions to propel us forward.

Undoubtedly, innovation and creativity plays a pivotal role in improving the socio-economic status of communities and driving a nation's growth. Globally, the startup industry has pioneered some of the most groundbreaking technologies, creating more jobs than traditional businesses. As we navigate the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the value and benefits of the startup industry cannot be denied.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to see the partnership between TEGAS and Shell Malaysia in implementing the Shell LiveWIRE program, now in its seventh year. This partnership serves as a catalyst for talent development and community empowerment.

TEGAS, through initiatives such as the TEGAS Digital Village and Digital Innovation Hubs in Kuching, Bintulu, and Miri, has taken a significant step towards facilitating access to markets, talent, and funding for startups and social enterprises.

I am also thrilled that this partnership with Shell aligns with our vision of providing capacity-building and accelerator programs to foster the growth of local startups and talent. The birth of future unicorns through the Shell LiveWIRE program is potentially within our reach.

Malaysia has consistently cultivated a vibrant startup ecosystem, supported by government initiatives, funding, investment opportunities, and a growing entrepreneurial culture. Through ongoing efforts to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship, Malaysia has become an attractive destination for startups, an innovation hub, and a leader in digital transformation within Southeast Asia.

Malaysia's startup ecosystem spans across various industries, including fintech, healthcare, digital economy, and agritech, to name a few. Publicprivate partnerships hold significant potential in scaling our startups. By leveraging our collective strengths and resources, we can create a supportive ecosystem that fosters creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and propel the growth of startups in Malaysia.

I hope to witness this partnership flourish and see TEGAS open more doors for similar collaborative efforts. In a rapidly changing world, government support at both national and local levels is crucial in driving innovation and building a robust startup ecosystem. Together with the private sector, our journey will yield greater opportunities and impact.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Through this partnership, I firmly believe that we can establish a thriving ecosystem where startups can flourish, ultimately leading to shared prosperity and the development of digital-minded citizens who are passionate about entrepreneurship. As such, our goals must align with national policies, creating a brighter future for our socio-economic and environmental care imperatives.

Furthermore, I would like to emphasize the importance of storytelling in showcasing the success stories of Malaysian startups. By highlighting these achievements, we can create a positive cycle of inspiration, attract investment and talent, and promote knowledge sharing. Therefore, let us celebrate these successes by telling, reporting, and sharing these stories, as they create networking opportunities, foster collaboration, and inspire further growth and support within the startup ecosystem.

To all the entrepreneurs present here today, I urge you to remember the significance of giving back and paying it forward once you achieve success. Successful founders often become mentors, coaches, and even investors for aspiring young entrepreneurs. Our future is interconnected, and together, let us strive towards our shared hopes and visions.

With this words it now gives me great pleasure to officially inaugurate the Shell LiveWIRE Cohort 2022 National Award Ceremony.  May I also extend my best wishes to everyone every success as you embark on this entrepreneural journey ahead. 

Finally, my heartiest congratulations to the Top Five Shell LiveWIRE National winners and the best of luck to all of you.

Thank you