‘State govt goes all out to develop technopreneurship’
KAPIT: The emergence and provision of many technical and vocational education and training ( TVet) facilities and assistance programmes signifies the state government’s focus on developing ‘technopreneurship’.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the approval of RM20 million by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for the establishment of a ‘Digital Village’ in Samajaya Free Industrial Zone in Kuching, indicates the opening of opportunities for young, creative and innovative entrepreneurs to develop and promote their products, towards generating a new crop of technopreneurs.
“So far, the state has spent RM1.4 billion for the development of 2,900 hectares of land under MIED ( Ministry of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development), including the Kapit Industrial Estate.
“Specifically, Kapit Industrial Estate at Bletih is meant to provide the infrastructure and amenities to develop industries in Kapit,” he spoke at the launch of the ‘ Entrepreneur Roadshow’ in the civic centre here yesterday.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, elaborated on Kapit Industrial Estate, saying that it is a project under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
It is learnt that Phase I covering 20.7 acres and costing RM5.45 million reached completion in 2004 and by now, all the lots have been taken up.
Phase II, covering 26.4 acres and worth RM17.4 million, was completed in 2014.
“For Phase III, the progress stage of the works has reached 77 per cent. It is scheduled to be ready by November 2018.
“The government provides the infrastructure and amenities; thus, local entrepreneurs should grab the opportunity to venture into SMIs (small and medium industries) and be competitive in their respective businesses,” he said.
It is stated that Phase III covers 6.3 acres and is worth RM10 million.
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah said the roadshow aimed to disseminate vital information, including the setting-up of Kapit Industrial Estate and various channels for financing, to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs here.
He added that the running of many entrepreneurship programmes by the state government also served to develop the rural economy.
Moreover, he said the government had made available to the entrepreneurs many financing facilities provided by agencies such as Majlis Amanah Rakyat, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, Tekun Nasional, SME Corporation Malaysia, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd, SME Bank, as well as through his ministry.
Back in SMIs, Awang Tengah said this segment accounted for up to 98 per cent of all industries – both at state and national levels.
“Towards this end, the government has developed various programmes to develop SMIs like seminars and courses, just like those run under TUBE ( Budding Bu mi put era Entrepreneurs ), Ger ak (Graduates-Turn-Entrepreneurs), Ustev ( Technical and Vocational Entrepreneurs Programme) and Cent2Cube programmes,” he said, adding that every Tube participant is given RM15,000.
Awang Tengah also listed out Borneo 744 at Pending in Kuching, Sarikei Innovation Centre and Sarawak Product Pavilion (SPP) as great facilities to promote and develop homegrown SMIs.
“The SPP at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur serves as platform to market Sarawak products not only in Peninsular Malaya, but also for the global market.
“I encourage local entrepreneurs to market their products via SPP,” he pointed out.
Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong, Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Kapit parliamentary constituency Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, permanent secretary to MIED Datu Liaw Soon Eng, former political secretary to chief minister Daniel Jubang, and local community leader Temenggong Wilfred Billy Panyau were among 500 people witnessing the launch yesterday.