The Borneo Post

Committee to develop entreprene­urs formed

- By Georgette Tan reporters@theborneop­ost.com

KUCHING: A Sarawak Entreprene­urship Developmen­t Coordinati­on Committee (SEDCC) has been establishe­d to develop better synergy, create a more effective impact and share resources among entreprene­urs.

Minister of Industrial and Entreprene­ur Developmen­t, Trade and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that it will be used to collaborat­e with all agencies and maximise all their resources.

“At the same time, we can structure the mechanism for coordinati­on, orderly and systematic work so there is no overlap in projects or programme,” he said during a press conference yesterday.

Awang Tengah noted that prior to this, their collaborat­ions were on an ad hoc basis.

“Now we want to formalise matters. We discussed with

At the same time, we can structure the mechanism for coordinati­on, orderly and systematic work so there is no overlap in projects or programme.

local authoritie­s involved in entreprene­urship and they welcome this,” he said adding that this will also reduce instance of overlap or missing out.

“Sometimes there are too many programmes in one area and nothing at other areas. We want to coordinate better to reach our target groups, especially in rural areas.”

Ultimately, the committee would want to help SMEs, as they are important in contributi­ng to our nation’s economy and workforce.

“According to existing records from SME Corp, more than 90 percent of business establishm­ents in Sarawak comprise of SMEs.”

“SEDCC wants to find answers to questions such as where should there be more premises for SMEs.

“I was informed that there are only nine business premises for SME in Miri, and Miri is the second biggest city in Sarawak.”

He also revealed that out of the over 7,000 business spaces set up by various agencies, only around 5,000 of them were in use.

“I want to know why some are not used. Is it location or high rental?”

SEDCC was set up as a platform for decision and policy making on the entreprene­urship in Sarawak.

To achieve this, they have created five technical committees namely Capacity Building, Financial and Equipment Assistance,

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Industrial and Entreprene­ur Developmen­t, Trade and Investment

Business Premises, Marketing, and Research, Innovation and Creativity.

“We will create a portal to reach out further and inform people about the services we have available. Hope to have this portal up and running by next year. It will connect all the Resident offices in Sarawak together,” said Awang Tengah.

Awang Tengah himself will chair SEDCC, while Assistant Minister for Entreprene­ur Developmen­t and Small and Medium Enterprise­s Developmen­t Datuk Mohamad Naroden Majais will be vice chairman.

 ??  ?? Awang Tengah (centre) speaks to the media after being briefed about SEDCC. Naroden is seated at second left.
Awang Tengah (centre) speaks to the media after being briefed about SEDCC. Naroden is seated at second left.

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