KUCHING: The federal government should help small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) especially in Sarawak and Sabah in terms of providing infrastructure, especially business premises.
Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also the Deputy Premier, said that apart from financial assistance and other aids, the provision of business premises must also be taken into account to ensure a conducive environment for SMEs.
“For our traders, we need to have a conducive ecosystem for them to conduct business.
“Therefore, it is hoped that in the upcoming budget, the Ministry under Datuk Ewon Benedick (Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) will allocate more funds,” he said.
Awang Tengah, representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the Satu Daerah Satu Industri (SDSI) Showcase at Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall here yesterday.
He said that the Ministry has also provided infrastructure facilities such as industrial parks and ‘Anjung Usahawan’ to stimulate the business activities of local entrepreneurs.
“Thus far, my ministry has developed 25 industrial parks and 27 ‘Anjung Usahawan’,” he added.
At the state level, Awang Tengah stated that the state government will continue its efforts to provide assistance to SMEs.
“Through my ministry alone, many schemes have been established. We have established the Micro Credit Scheme, and as of 2021 until the third quarter of 2023, almost RM49.5 million has been allocated to 1,502 SMEs.
“Through the Small and Medium Industry Loan Scheme (SPIKS), from 2021 to 2023, a total of RM9.74 million has been approved for 82 Bumiputera SMEs.
“In addition, through the Graduates towards Entrepreneurship (GERAK) programme and the Technical and Vocational Entrepreneurs (USTEV) programme, a total of RM9.2 million has been distributed to 1,115 SMEs,” he said.
Meanwhile, for the Go Digital Programme, which provides grants for equipment up to RM10,000 for entrepreneurs who want to engage in online or e-commerce businesses, he stated that since 2021 until the third quarter of this year, a total of 1,100 SMEs have received assistance with a total value of RM11 million.
Regarding the SDSI showcase, Awang Tengah hoped that it could serve as a platform to continue promoting Sarawak’s local products to penetrate the global market.
“I urge entrepreneurs to take advantage of all the facilities offered by the government or any private institution to remain competitive and grow.
“Our entrepreneurs should seize this opportunity to collaborate and build strong business networking,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony were Ewon, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat, KUSKOP secretary general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad, MINTRED advisor Datuk Naroden Majais and MINTRED acting permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron.
