RM200 mln allocated to strengthen devt of S’wak’s rural, suburban entrepreneurs – DPM
The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has allocated RM200 million to strengthen the development of rural and suburban communities in Sarawak.
In announcing this, Deputy Prime Miniser Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says under the allocation, new programmes have been laid out for entrepreneurs empowerment, which would include training, funding support and the provision of infrastructure conducive to these entrepreneurs.
“I am excited to announce some assistance and initiatives from the KKDW and the agencies such as Mara (Majlis Amanah Rakyat), Risda (Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority), Kemas (Community Developmenty) and the Rural Entrepreneurs Division (UD).
“First, we have schemes for entrepreneurs through Mara under the Express Contract Financing Scheme (SPiKE) Year 2024.
“This year, the scheme has approved assistance for 39 recipients from Sarawak amounting to RM6,536,000,” said the KKDW minister in his speech for the ‘Rural Entrepreneurs Mini Carnival’ here yesterday.
Ahnad Zahid said Risda, through the Sarawak State Entrepreneurship Programme 2024, had approved assistance to 537 recipients amounting to RM3,832,500.
“Kemas Sarawak also has approved assistance to 7,606 recipients amounting to RM1,407,500 through the Community Development and Skills Programme.
“And the most importantly is our UD Division, where the KKDW through the Rural Economic Financing Scheme (SPED), would channel funding to six recipients from Sarawak with a total amount of RM889,000,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said entrepreneurs should grab the assistance to grow their businesses in the global market
Citing the ‘Mara Get To Global’ programme as an example, he said many strategies were already in place to help informal entrepreneurs gain the necessary business assistance.
However, he noted that many entrepreneurs had not registered their businesses, in compliance with the law.
“We encourage business registration in the informal sector to enable them (entrepreneurs) get the necessary support such as financing, marketing and legal protection,” he said.
“Through that provision, I really hope the people of Sarawak, especially the state ministries related to the KKDW, could do something together to help our rural communities.
“I believe Sarawak has so many unique products to offer; those that we cannot find anywhere else.
“What we have to do now to help these entrepreneurs by providing them training and assistance,” he said.