SIBU: A total of 2,215 recipients have received the Entrepreneurs Wellbest Grant (GUW), amounting to RM11,225,000 in funding, from 2020 until March 2024.
According to the Head of the Economic Development Division of the Sarawak Social Welfare Department, Mohammed Yaakob Morshidi, out of the 2,215 recipients, 661, or 29.84 per cent, have become successful entrepreneurs.
“They managed to earn a net income or sales revenue exceeding RM1,200 per month for three consecutive months,” he said after attending the Wellbest Carnival 2024 closing ceremony at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 2 on Sunday (May 26).
He said when they generate a gross income of RM1,200 for three consecutive months, they can be considered to be no longer coming under the hardcore poverty category.
“They can already ‘exit’ from the Wellbest programme and live independently without the help of the department,” he said.
The GUW, with a total aid of RM5,000 per individual, was given by the Sarawak government for them to start their businesses and generate income so that they can escape hardcore poverty.
Earlier, the Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, urged Wellbest entrepreneurs to ensure their products are always of good quality so that they can maintain the Wellbest label as a trusted brand.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Sarawak Social Welfare Department, Adana Jed, expressed his gratitude to everyone who worked hard to ensure the event’s success.
“A total of 107 local entrepreneurs participated in this programme. Our objective is to expand the promotion and sales of Wellbest Entrepreneur products to the community, increase the income of Wellbest entrepreneurs, achieve the target of earning RM1,200 per month for successful Wellbest entrepreneurs, and gain new markets for Wellbest entrepreneur products.
“It is also to introduce Wellbest entrepreneur products to be marketed in hypermarket networks and through government-related agencies and companies throughout Sarawak,” he added.
He hoped that the three-day carnival can be extended to a week to provide more opportunities for the business community.
Also present were the Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang, and the Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development, Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam.
