KUCHING: Since setting up stalls by the roadside is a big ‘No’, Sarawakians, especially women entrepreneurs, have to venture out of the norm during the month of Ramadan.
According to Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, the state government has initiated 11 Bazaar Ramadan Online Sarawakku Sayang (BROSS) on Facebook as an alternative marketplace for food businesses during the fasting month.
They are BROSS Kuching and Samarahan, BROSS Simanggang, BROSS Sarikei, BROSS Miri, BROSS Serian, BROSS Sibu, BROSS Bintulu, BROSS Kapit, BROSS Sibu Town Square, BROSS Mukah/Dalat/Oya and BROSS Betong/Sri Aman.
Fatimah said women entrepreneurs, small or medium enterprises (SME), have always looked forward to the month of Ramadan to make extra income by joining Ramadan bazaar or setting up stalls within their house compounds and by the roadsides.
“With Covid-19 still looming over our heads and movement control order (MCO) still in force, our women entrepreneurs must capitalise on business online. Setting up stalls by the roadside is a big ‘No’.
“The unnecessary exposure and contact with unknown status of buyers, who might be carriers of Covid-19 virus, will definitely not help the government’s effort to break the chain of transmission,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Fatimah added that since Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg introduced digital economy strategy, her ministry through Sarawak Women and Family Department, has been advocating online business through ePreneurs application.
“Through ePreneurs, the app can provide bigger market, with the luxury of working from home and using pre-order strategy. In food business, this is particularly important to avoid wastage,” she said.
