Courses, industrial estates set up in rural areas to benefit SMEs
KUCHING: The government is serious about continuing to develop small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), particularly in the food industry.
Assistant Minister for Industrial Development ( Investment and Promotion) Datuk Julaihi Narawi said this could be seen with the setting up of industrial estates in rural areas, and providing courses.
The government was aware of the importance of SMEs.
“SMEs play a significant role in contributing towards the economy, so the government will continue with the efforts and initiatives to develop the sector by setting up industrial estates in rural areas and offering courses,” he said at a certificate presentation and closing of a bread and pastry food processing course yesterday.
The four- day course started on July 25 at Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute ( Mardi) was attended by 30 particpants.
Such courses are organised by Mardi and Ministry of Industrial Development ( MID).
“While the government takes various initiatives and efforts to develop SMEs, the people themselves must be proactive and desire to succeed,” said Julaihi who is also Assistant Minister for Rural Economy ( Coastal Areas) and Fisheries.
SMEs he said should look forward to a bigger market, while Mardi has the expertise and is willing to help people venture into the food industry.
Julaihi said the government was making the effort to develop industrial estates in smaller towns in rural areas to help the rural community participate in SMEs related to the food industry.
The setting up of industrial estates in rural towns was also due to the abundant supply of food raw materials, he stressed.
Present were state Mardi director Mohammad Noor Adros Yahya and Ministry of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, Trade and Investment assistant principal secretary Atikah Dolhan.