These are the Top Islamic Bank and Top Development Financial Institution awards to recognize these two categories of institutions for their contribution towards the overall business growth of CGC and the SME sector. These new categories illustrate our sincere acknowledgment of the financial institutions that have made significant contribution to SME development. We believe 2008 is an important year for CGC. Foremost is that it marks the 36th year of the Corporation's involvement in SME development. It is also the year which will see the implementation of the third phase of our three-year business transformation plan and the successful completion of the three-year strategy. The necessary preparatory work under the transformation plan has largely being completed and we hope to take the first step towards achieving financial sustainability. Another significant milestone in 2008 is the establishment of the SME Credit Bureau, a watershed event in CGC's evolution. The Bureau is a source of credible and reliable credit information that serves the needs of both the SMEs and the potential financiers. This reflects the natural progression for the CGC in its continuous efforts to enhance access to financing by SMEs. The establishment of a SME Credit Bureau, by CGC in strategic collaboration with Dun & Bradstreet, would no doubt complement the other initiatives of the Government and the financial sector in promoting growth and development of SMEs. We have seen how CCRIS, where real-time and comprehensive information on consumers' credit exposures and history is readily available.

Zamani Abdul Ghani: Growth and development of SME’s in Malaysia Opening address by Mr Zamani Abdul Ghani, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia, at the Top SMI Supporter Award Presentation, held at the Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC), Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 9 June 2008. *  *  *  Bismillahirrahmanirrahim Distinguished fellow members of the Board of Directors of CGC, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad,Managing Director of CGC Distinguished Guests and Representatives of Financial Institutions Members of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen Assalamualaikum w.b.t. and a very good afternoon On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management of the Credit Guarantee Corporation, (CGC), I am pleased to welcome you to this Top SMI Supporter Awards Presentation ceremony. This occasion is held in conjunction with the CGC's 35th Annual General Meeting that was successfully concluded just a while ago. I am pleased to note the encouraging representation made here today by fellow members of financial institutions. This signifies the importance that financial institutions attest to this CGC's annual award presentation ceremony. That said, allow me to record our appreciation to all of you for making this ceremony an important event in your calendar. This Top SMI Supporter Awards presentation ceremony, as you are all well aware, is an annual occasion. It recognises the active participation by financial institutions in CGC's credit guarantee schemes in particular, and contributions by financial institutions to SME development in general. We firmly believe such efforts should not go unnoticed.