PUTRAJAYA – Local authorities, especially in urban areas, need to provide comfortable infrastructure and facilities for hawkers and petty traders to conduct business, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that the group needed such facilities as they contribute to the national economy through their businesses.
“In a city such as Kuala Lumpur, not only should there be facilities for large companies and industries, but it is necessary to include facilities to drive the economy of hawkers and petty traders representing the low-income group.
“Facilities in the city must include those for hawkers and petty traders, so that they will be able to do business comfortably, with adequate basic facilities,” he said when officiating the 2022 National Level Hawkers and Petty Traders Day Convention here today.
The prime minister said the matter was also among the issues discussed during a meeting with the top management of Kuala Lumpur City Hall this morning.
“The beauty of Kuala Lumpur must be accompanied by concerted efforts (to) provide business sites for hawkers and petty traders throughout the city,” he said.
He said efforts aimed at improving the people’s economic well-being could also give all groups, including hawkers and petty traders, opportunities to participate.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the country’s economy is not only generated by large companies but also by the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The prime minister said his presence at the event demonstrated the government’s commitment and main focus on driving the economic development of low-income groups.
Meanwhile, Anwar also expressed hope that the existing funds would be channelled to the target groups.
In order to realise that, he said, the management of financial institutions responsible for financing SME businesses need to understand the purpose and goals behind the establishment of their respective institutions.
“Malaysia has various financial assistance agencies such as the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia which aim to provide assistance and convenience to entrepreneurs,” he said. – Bernama, December 22, 2022
