PENAMPANG – The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry has proposed the establishment of a council for the development of entrepreneurs, cooperatives, hawkers, and petty traders in every district nationwide, starting next year.
Its minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said that the councils, which will be chaired by the respective district officers, are expected to be able to manage development and resolve issues at the grassroots level more effectively.
He said that previously there was a council for the development of entrepreneurs and cooperatives at the parliamentary level, but the council needs to be empowered, and district-level councils will be the best step to empower entrepreneurs, cooperatives, hawkers, and petty traders.
“The councils will not only be able to solve licensing matters, but also other matters involving infrastructure facilities in the district. However, if the councils cannot fulfil requests for funding, they will then inform the ministry.
“I can see what these councils can do to help solve the problems of our entrepreneurs, cooperatives, hawkers, and petty traders at the district level, and myself at the federal level, to solve the problems faced. We will also give an administrative grant to these councils,” he told reporters here today.
Earlier, he officiated the Penampang Parliamentary Entrepreneurs and Cooperatives Community Integration programme here, which was also attended by his deputy Senator Saraswathy Kandasami and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam. – Bernama, December 24, 2022
