Expand programmes to assist women entrepreneurs – Minister
KOTA KINABALU: Programmes to assist women entrepreneurs here should not only continue but also expand to include rural areas, said Sabah Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib.
He said this is to provide women entrepreneurs in rural areas the ability to learn entrepreneurship skills and at the same time develop their products.
In relation to this, James called upon relevant agencies and ministries to lend a helping hand in the endeavour.
“I hope that Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister (KUSKOP) Datuk Ewon Benedick can meet with women entrepreneurs throughout Sabah to inform of his ministry’s efforts in assisting Bumiputera entrepreneurs in rural areas here.
“I also hope that the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) can come down to Sabah to provide guidance to entrepreneurs not only in the city but also in rural areas.
“This is so that they are made aware of the role that Teraju plays and the assistance they provide that can help progress their businesses,” he said when launching the eKelas Usahawan workshop at Wisma Wanita, here, Wednesday.
Over 200 women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) comprised mostly from B40 communities had taken part in the programme to explore digitisation in the entrepreneurship industry.
Jointly organised by Sabah Women Entrepreneur and Professionals Association (SWEPA) alongside Maxis business corporation and Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (JHEWA), the outreach programme aimed to assist women entrepreneurs to develop a stronger digital presence in their business.
On the programme, James said regardless of their opinions on digitalisation, it is a necessity for the entrepreneurs to adopt the relevant technology as the world is moving towards a digital direction.
“If they do not take advantage of such programmes or listen to the government’s suggestions regarding the matter, they will be left behind and not be able to market their products or advance their businesses,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, SWEPA president Sitti B. Damsal explained that the eKelas Usahawan workshop comprised of a series of digital workshops with practical and hands-on approach to equip entrepreneurs with tips and basic skills.
She said among the topics covered during the programme include marketing, digital photography, copywriting and planning for marketing, and advertising campaigns via online and social media platforms.
Sitti further said that the programme had received overwhelming response from the women community and the venue could not accommodate the amount of applications received.
However, she said her association had archived the
extra applications so that they could invite more women entrepreneurs from the rural, sub-urban and urban constituencies for future programmes.
“Sabah is a state with bountiful entrepreneurial talent, especially among women in the community. This quality talent should not go to waste.
“We will continue to hold such collaborations to tap into grassroots support which enables a bottom-up approach towards empowering women-led businesses in the state,” she said.