HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES GROW

BERA: The Rural Entrepreneur Mini Carnival (KUD) here is expected to generate almost RM200,000 in sales for small business entrepreneurs here.

Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the carnival’s main aim is to act as a platform for small business entrepreneurs to help generate sales and market their products.

“The small entrepreneurs in Malaysia are very creative, they have no problems inventing new products and services but one of the main issues they face is marketing,” said Ismail Sabri.

“So we have this carnival as a place for them to promote and sell their goods and services and hopefully also create connections with distributors and maybe supermarket and hypermarket chains.

“We hope that when those from out of town come and see what is sold here, they will want to buy these entrepreneurs’ products and sell them in the cities and maybe around the world like Singapore or Dubai.”

The fourday carnival started on Thursday and ends today.

He was present to officiate the KUD carnival at Laman Kerayong Bera here yesterday.

“On the first two days itself, sales of around RM77,000 was generated and that was on working days.

“With two more days on Saturday and Sunday, we believe sales can go

up to RM200,000,” Ismail Sabri said.

He hoped they can attract around 100,000 visitors over the four days and in order to do so many programmes have been organised.

Among the programmes were the KUD Walk, Fun Ride, Ceramah Perdana, Sukan Rakyat, Battle of the Bands, Concert KUD for the closing event featuring several local famous artistes and many more exciting activities.

Ismail Sabri pointed out that another problem for small rural entrepreneurs was getting the startup capital and that is why KKLW offers many different loans through Mara.

“The Rural Economic Funding Scheme (SPED) that was just launched allows small rural entrepreneurs to apply for loans of up to RM10,000,” he said.

“And then there is also the Mobilepreneur programme and many others that are offered here.

“All this will help the entrepreneurs in their businesses.”

The small entrepreneurs in Malaysia are very creative, they have no problems inventing new products and services but one of the main issues they face is marketing. Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Browsing around: Ismail Sabri trying samples at a food stall during a walkabout at the Rural Entrepreneur Mini Carnival. — Bernama

All smiles: Ismail Sabri (in white) presenting a mock cheque for RM10,000 to Mohamad Shah Riza Maarof, a recipient of the SPED programme during the launch at Laman Kerayong Bera. — Bernama

Local goods: The carnival will be a place for traders to promote and sell their goods and services and hopefully also create connections with distributors. — Bernama