| Apply for grants, SMIs, SMEs urged
SMALL and medium industries and enterprises (SMIs and SMEs) should capitalise fully on the government grants offered to help them expand their businesses. Penang Gerakan SMI Bureau chairman Michael Heah said many SMIs and SMES were still unaware that the Government had introduced the �New Business Start-Up Grant� to help them. Under the grant, Heah said the Government would pay 50% of premises rental up to a maximum of RM40,000 over 24 months. �And the good thing is, one does not have to repay the grant,� he told a press conference recently. Heah added that new businesses registered under the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and the Registrar of Businesses (ROB), except for insurance and finance businesses, could apply for the grants. He said Gerakan SMI has roped in two accountants and a company secretary to assist entrepreneurs to apply for grants. He said the first 100 qualified SMIs or SMEs which registered with the Batu Uban and Bukit Tengah Gerakan service centres from Dec 5 and Dec 6 would get the services for free. �Normally, fees charged by professional accountants are priced between RM1,000 to RM3,000 per proposal,� he said. Those interested can visit Gerakan Batu Uban office (Tel 04-6440788/ 0124337963) every Wednesday from 3.30pm to 5pm and Batu Kawan office (012-4925343) every Thursday from 8.30pm to 10pm.
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RFID company struggling with revenue slump
RFID Ltd. Inc., a radio frequency identification system integration company, is considering going private or selling some of the company's assets to avoid insolvency. The Denver-based company (OTCBB: RFDL) said Friday the cost of remaining publicly traded was too great, and it is not generating enough revenue to cover expenses. "RFID Ltd. has undergone a major resource loss of both operating capital and human capital," the company's written statement said, noting that the trend has hurt its ability to generate necessary revenue. The company's share price plummeted 58 percent in morning trading Monday, to 0.012 cent per share. RFID Ltd. Inc. was formed and went public in 2005 through a reverse merger with Packaged RFID Inc. It mainly relied on contract labor.
Linux for business use
The recent fine levied on Microsoft by the European anti-trust authorities has reminded people just how dominant Microsoft is in the industry. We’re often being told to consider Linux and open-source applications as a viable alternative to what Microsoft and other Windows developers have to offer. But just what’s involved if you do decide to go down the Linux route for some or all of your small-business IT? Which Linux?
One of the first things to understand is that there’s no such thing as a standard implementation of Linux. There are lots, commonly referred to as distributions or distros, available from an equally large number of developers. Some are designed for use on desktop PCs and others for servers. Yet more can be used for both, so research is required.
UK small businesses weathering credit crunch, but worried by tax changes - CBI
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK small businesses are weathering the storm caused by this summer's credit crunch, but have heaped more pressure on Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling by saying they believe the government's commitment to enterprise is in doubt, a survey by a leading business lobby found. The Confederation of British Industry said just 12 pct of small firms they questioned reported a deterioration in the availability of capital since the summer, although more expect to face problems in the coming months. Overall 35 pct of firms said they are experiencing or expect to experience some deterioration. The figures will help ease some of the concerns policymakers have about the potential impact the recent liquidity shortage will have on the wider economy.
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