KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) has urged the state government to increase budget allocations for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially Bumiputera SMEs and micro businesses.
“The RM3.1 million allocated for capacity building initiatives may not be sufficient to address the needs of SMEs statewide,” its president Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan told Sarawak Tribune.
“Unless there are additional, undisclosed funds, the current allocation seems inadequate for effective SME development.”
Abang Helmi expressed concern over the absence of the Bumi Biz Fund in this year’s budget.
“This fund has been instrumental in supporting Bumi businesses through human resource development and capacity building. Continued funding is crucial to address the labour mismatch issues plaguing Sarawak’s SMEs,” he said.
He acknowledged the state government’s progress in capacity building through the Bumi Biz Fund and the SBF Biz Fund, which together totalled RM30 million over the past two years.
“These initiatives have catalysed growth and development within the local business landscape and must remain a priority,” he added.
Abang Helmi said collaboration between the government and various business chambers should continue.
“Such partnerships are vital to enhance the success of capacity building initiatives in the SME sector,” he said.
He also commended Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) for its active involvement in vendor development programmes.
“SEB’s intention to enhance these efforts through the appointment of accredited service providers is a positive step forward, and DUBS welcomes such initiatives,” he said.
On a broader scale, Abang Helmi praised the Federal Government’s initiatives through the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in enhancing the capacity of licensees in the building and infrastructure construction
sectors.
However, he urged the relevant authorities to reassess budget allocations for capacity building programmes and prioritise the Bumi Biz Fund.
“By doing so, we can ensure that our SMEs, particularly Bumi SMEs and micro businesses, receive the necessary support to thrive, innovate, and contribute to Sarawak’s economic growth,” he added.
