Medac, KPWKM team up to assist women, PwD entrepreneurs

PUTRAJAYA: A total of RM18.2 million has been set aside for programmes and assistance specifically for women and persons with disabilities (PwD) entrepreneurs through a partnership between the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (Medac) and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM).

Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, in a statement Tuesday, said Medac via its agencies has agreed to work with KPWKM to assist the target groups mainly in the post-Covid-19 recovery and to expand their operations.

“The allocation will be used for various programmes including training, financing assistance, coaching and soft loans which aim to produce more competitive, dynamic and resilient entrepreneurs,” he said.

Among the agencies under Medac involved in the initiative include the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN), TEKUN Nasional, SME Corp and Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (PNS) which will collaborate with agencies under KPWKM, namely the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) as well as the Social Welfare Department.

He pointed out that women entrepreneurs were among those severely affected by the pandemic as most of them were in the micro and informal (unregistered) categories, and running businesses that are in the non-essential sectors such as aesthetics, fashion, spa, beauty, event management and wedding planning.

Wan Junaidi said Medac was focusing to assist these businesses to go digital as Covid-19 has certainly enhanced the need for businesses to adopt, adapt and embrace technology.