KAPIT: The Ministry of International Trade & Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development (MINTRED) has been entrusted to implement the Go Digital Programme that offers a maximum grant of RM10,000.
Its minister, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said so far, 600 entrepreneurs had received assistance worth RM6 million since its implementation in 2021.
“This year, 10 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Kapit have received grants for digital equipment and needs. This is to continue efforts to digitalise entrepreneurs, especially rural entrepreneurs.
“Through this programme, entrepreneurs will be guided and monitored for six months to ensure they can use digital equipment effectively,” he said.
Awang Tengah said this in his speech read by Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry, and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh at the opening ceremony of the “Jum Regista” programme at the community hall of Kampung Muhibbah here yesterday (Nov 13).
Awang Tengah, who is also deputy premier, said through the economic stimulus package, the federal government had prepared various schemes to help SMEs.
“The Sarawak government has provided interest rate subsidies for three and a half years for SMEs in Sarawak under the Special Relief Fund (SRF), Targeted Relief & Recovery Facility (TRRF), and PENJANA Tourism Fund (PTF) schemes,” he said.
The deputy premier said so far, the facility had helped a total of 3,335 SMEs with a total interest rate subsidy of RM76.1 million.
“To help business associations overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, my Ministry has been assigned to lead the implementation of the Business Empowerment and Recovery Fund (BizFund).
“BizFund is financial assistance for Sarawak business associations to organise capacity building and enterprise development programmes for their members.
“Until now, my ministry has spent RM9.3 million for the implementation of 84 programmes which benefit 3,350 B40 groups, micro-entrepreneurs and SMEs,” he said.
Also present was Deputy Minister in the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Customs and Law) Jefferson Jamit Unyat.
