YES programme in Kapit attracts 250 youths
KAPIT: The Youth Entrepreneur Setup (YES) programme at the civic centre here yesterday involved the participation of 250 schoolleavers from Kapit, Song and Bukit Mabong districts.
Deputy Minister II for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat officiated at the opening ceremony for this two-day programme, organised by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).
Ripin, in his speech, commended the SDEC for running YES, targeting those aged 15 to 40.
“This YES programme is meant to empower and train young individuals in setting up their businesses.
“By fostering innovation and self-reliance, it could unleash their potential towards driving economic growth.
“Through entrepreneurial ventures, youths get to harness various technological advancements towards finding solutions meant to transform industries and move them towards progress.
“Youth-led businesses are not just about individual success, as they also contribute to the creation of job opportunities, thus addressing unemployment, stimulating economic growth, and building resilient communities.
“Encouraging our youths to engage in entrepreneurial activities would open doors to global markets and foster better collaborations,” he elaborated.
Among the activities lined up for YES are the ‘Youth Entrepreneur Motivation’ session, a briefing on Sarawak Youth Creative Industry Fund (SYCIF), a ‘Youth Entrepreneur Engagement’ session, ‘Sarawak X-Tive Gofit’, and ‘Get To Know Shoppertainment by TikTok Shop’ programme.
Adding on, Ripin advised Kapit youths to adapt to changes, namely from conventional systems to advanced technology, focusing on digitalisation and information technology (IT).
“We, at the ministry level, would like to see more youths in Kapit to venture into entrepreneurship and be successful in it, so as to generate good income and enhance the local socio-economy,” he added.
The ministry’s head of entrepreneurs development division Asmawaty Ahmad, SDEC manager for smallmedium enterprise (SME) digitalisation, innovation and entrepreneurship Amirrul Rizwan Mohd Abdul Hafiz, Companies Commission of Malaysia’s Sarawak director Ramlee Leen and Kapit Youth and Sports officer Bakat Gira were also present at the event yesterday.