Food for thought, herbs too for womenfolk in Batang Sadong
KUCHING: Womenfolk in Batang Sadong are urged to identify potential products to be further developed and marketed as a platform to improve their income.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nancy Shukri said womenfolk should be aware and take advantage of the various business initiatives and assistance provided by the government.
“Among the many local products that can be further developed are herbs, food and agriculture,” said Nancy who officiated at the ‘Program Kesejahteraan Wanita’ organised by the Women, Family and Community Development Council ( MPWK) and the Batang Sadong service centre at Simunjan on Dec 31, 2016.
She revealed that 19.7 per cent of small industries in Malaysia are operated by women entrepreneurs while the recent Malaysia International Horticulture and Agro Tourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2016 showed participation of more than 50 per cent womenfolk.
Nancy, who is also Batang Sadong MP, added that more than RM1 billion has been allocated to provide assistance to Bumiputera entrepreneurs under the 2017 National Budget.
Among the channels to obtain the assistance is through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun), National Entrepreneurs Corporation Bhd and Majlis Amanah Rakyat ( Mara), she added.
On another note, she said 2016 has been a challenging year due to the uncertainties of the global economy.
Despite that, the government increased the amount of the 1Malaysia People Aid ( BR1M) as well as maintaining subsidies for healthcare and education to ease the people’s burdens.
Also present at the programme was Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris.