THE FEDERAL government has given a substantial shot-in-the-arm to aid entrepreneurs operating in rural and suburban districts in Sarawak, to the tune of an additional RM200 million for this year.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the funds will be provided to entrepreneurs for direct training and as financial grants.
The money will be channelled through agencies under the federal Rural and Regional Development Ministry, of which he is the minister.
“The RM200 million will be used by agencies such as Mara, Risda (Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority), Community Development Department (Kemas) and the ministry’s Rural Entrepreneurs Division to help those Sarawak entrepreneurs in rural and suburban districts,” he said after an entrepreneurial gathering near Kuching yesterday.
“They will channel the money for training programmes, skills enhancement workshops, financial aid for infrastructure needs of these entrepreneurs and also to help them market their products.”
Zahid said that Sarawak’s practitioners have unique products that can also be attractive in international markets.
He said the federal government wants to help develop and enhance such opportunities for the businesses.
Zahid also spoke about some of the initiatives lined up by the agencies this year.
Risda will be organising the Sarawak State Entrepreneurship Programme 2024, while Kemas will be staging the Community Development and Skills Programme in targeted districts in the state, he said.
The Rural Entrepreneurs Division will allocate separate funds from the Rural Economic Financing Scheme for qualified Sarawak businesses.
Mara will have a series of “Get to Global” training schemes in the state, he added.
Zahid was on a working visit to meet agencies under his ministry in Sarawak. – The Vibes, February 4, 2024
