Be creative to cater to needs of youths — Naroden
KUCHING: Local entrepreneurs are urged to be creative and innovative to cater to the needs of the younger generation. Assistant Minister for Entrepreneur and Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Datuk Naroden Majais said it was a trend now to cater to the needs of youths.
“We need to catch the taste of younger generation. The youths want something fast and instant. Fast food outlets with online deliveries are good to cater to the youths,” he said at the opening of Canard Eat & Roll, a burger restaurant which offers deliveries, yesterday.
“Online deliveries are in need as the city grows bigger and increased purchasing power among the youths.”
Additionally, fast food such as burgers is one of preferred food choice for youths who are always rushing in doing their business.
Naroden encouraged more entrepreneurs to venture in fast food businesses as the costs and risks were low. He also highlighted there are grants, loans and programmes offered under the Ministry of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development for entrepreneurs.
“We have the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme ( BEEP) which helps companies to grow and expands.
“It is in the form of a grant in which about 50 per cent of the approved project is awarded to each company,” he stated.
To make up the rest of the cost, entrepreneurs can apply for Skim Pinjaman Industri Kecil dan Sederhana ( Spiks).
Naroden explained, ‘ Spiks’ is a soft loan to help entrepreneurs with their working capital needs, buying of tools or machinery and renovation of business premises. He also advised larger businesses with project proposals of no more than RM2.5 million to reach out to The Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit ( Teraju).