SSM said this is following the government’s recent announcement to allow professional and consulting services companies to operate, subject to the approval conditions of the authority regulating the service.

“Following the announcement, the international trade and industry ministry (Miti) agrees to list company secretary services under the professional and consulting services. This allows company secretary firms to submit their application to operate to Miti for the purpose of carrying out secretarial services,” the commission said in a statement today.

It added that as the body that oversees the company secretary under the Companies Act 2016, SSM has been given the responsibility as the approving body for operating permission applications submitted by company secretary firms.

Therefore, it said members of professional bodies approved under the Fourth Schedule of the Companies Act 2016 may submit applications for their respective secretarial firms if they intended to commence operations at their respective business premises.

“Applications can be made through (the) Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) operated by Miti at the website.

“Guidance on applications has been provided by Miti through the portal,” it said.

It said company secretary firms that obtained approval to operate under Phase One and Two of the national recovery plan are advised to comply with the conditions set by Miti and SOPs issued by the National Security Council (MKN) from time to time to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“It is hoped that with the reopening of this sector, company secretary firms can continue to play a role in supporting the corporate sector, especially involving small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in reviving the country’s economy,” it said.

It added that more info could be found in the frequently asked questions section on SSM’s official portal, and any inquiry could be made to SSM by calling 03-77214000 or sending an email to [email protected] or [email protected].