Ministry welcomes collaboration with SEDC to develop female entrepreneurs

KUCHING: Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) will be introducing more programmes to benefit female entrepreneurs as well as those who are keen in entrepreneurship.

SEDC general manager Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir said in a press conference that they would be collaborating with the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development.

“This would be the first time that we provide entrepreneurship development and I hope that through our discussion, we can unite the direction of both the Ministry and SEDC in bringing up the female entrepreneurs in the state. As entrepreneurs are considered economic catalysts, we see potential in bringing up existing entrepreneurs and those keen on becoming entrepreneurs to become global players.

“Therefore, we would also improve our programmes so we can provide the encouragement and guidance to interested female entrepreneurs,” Abdul Hadi said.

Abdul Hadi and his entourage had earlier paid a courtesy call to Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah at her office in Baitulmakmur Complex here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Fatimah welcomed the collaboration between SEDC and her Ministry, saying that by working together, they could achieve more when bringing up female entrepreneurship.

“While it is not official yet, we have reached an agreement that we would work together and complement each other, instead of duplicating each other. SEDC has their own strength and the Ministry has its niche. When we combine our resources and efforts, it can provide a very good platform for female entrepreneurs and help upscale their businesses so they can make it a full-fledged career,” Fatimah said.

She added that there would be at least seven programmes planned by SEDC, which include a Incubator and Entrepreneur Guidance Centre, a Bumiputera Entrepreneur Upscaling Programme, Financial Aid, Entrepreneurial Exercises, Business Premises and Product Promotion and Marketing.

Also present were Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus and Tanjong Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu.