KUD@Kapit a platform to showcase products
There are also programmes to help them penetrate even bigger markets.This has been successfully done in Semenanjung Malaysia all this while and that is why for Sarawak, myself as the Deputy Minister of KKLW bring this programme here to our people in the rural areas especially in Kapit. KKLW actually has programmes to promote rural entrepreneurship among them.These people are given access to information and whatsoever assistance including sponsorship for funding from various agencies.This is the main purpose of the KUD@Kapit 2018 this year. Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, caretaker Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development
KAPIT: Karnival Usahawan Desa @ Kapit 2018 (KUD@Kapit2018) provides an opportunity and platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products, said caretaker Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi when officiating the closing of the two-day carnival at the compound of Fort Sylvia and Jalan Kubu Lama here on Saturday.
“The Karnival Usahawan Desa @ Kapit 2018 (KUD@Kapit) is held to provide an opportunity and stage for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products. They have been producing local products, handicraft and even food stuffs, that they can actually sell to make income. But they have limited opportunities for marketing of their products to bigger markets outside Kapit. Also the packaging has been quite basic. With this KUD with involvement of Mara and other agencies under Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW), there are programmes to assist rural entrepreneurs, also in packaging, ensuring the quality and also to make sure that their products are of good quality and acceptable in the market. In brief, adding value to products,” said Nanta.
“There are also programmes to help them penetrate even bigger markets. This has been successfully done in Semenanjung Malaysia all this while and that is why for Sarawak, myself as the Deputy Minister of KKLW bring this programme here to our people in the rural areas especially in Kapit. KKLW actually has programmes to promote rural entrepreneurship among them. These people are given access to information and whatsoever assistance including sponsorship for funding from various agencies. This is the main purpose of the KUD@Kapit 2018 this year,” he added.
The two-day KUD@Kapit on Friday and Saturday attracted entrepreneurs from Kapit and other places to exhibit and sell their products.
Some 50 stalls were set up, featuring a great variety of products from cookery, bakery, farm produce, handicraft beadwork, pua kumbu, antique goods, souvenirs and demonstrations on weaving of pua kumbu, making of chocolate, ice-cream making, cake baking, beauty and make-up and others.
Many of the entrepreneurs have benefited from various courses and workshops organised by Giat Mara and received financial support as initial capital to start their business from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara). The government through KKLW is allocating huge amount of money to empower young graduates and potential entrepreneurs to actively participate in business instead of seeking employment as income generating ventures.
At the function, Nanta handed out assistance under Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT) and Program Peningkatan Pendapatan (PPP) to representatives of recipients from Bukit Goram, Pelagus and Katibas state constituencies besides giving out Pinjaman SPED NANO as initial capital for potential entrepreneurs to start their business.
He also presented prizes of lucky draws.
Some 1,500 people attended the closing ceremony. Among those present were KKLW deputy secretary general Norisan Ramli, deputy state secretary Datu Jaul Samion and Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong.