Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to nurture entrepreneurial talent among youth and teenagers residing in welfare homes.
Its minister Datuk Ewon Benedick welcomed proposals from welfare centres, particularly children’s homes, to identify residents with an interest and potential in entrepreneurship.
“I welcome proposals from welfare centres, especially children’s homes, if there are residents who have the talent and passion for entrepreneurship that can be developed during their stay,” he said to the media after the Madani Community Outreach Programme, Donation Handover Ceremony, and Bazar Kasih Ramadan at the Kota Kinabalu Children’s Home in Beringis Saturday.
Ewon said that his ministry provides various entrepreneurship schemes, including the Bumiputera Youth Entrepreneur Startup Programme (Tube), which can be utilised to help young people develop their business skills.
“With the availability of these entrepreneurial schemes at the ministry, we can provide the necessary support. This is part of our role and responsibility in developing young entrepreneurs,” he said.
While there is already existing cooperation between both ministries, he emphasised that these efforts can be further strengthened, particularly for children’s homes.
“What is relevant in the context of entrepreneurship, we can channel accordingly to young individuals or residents of welfare homes.
“Therefore, I welcome proposals from the principals of children’s homes as they are more familiar with the residents who can be groomed to complement the ministry’s efforts in producing more young entrepreneurs,” he added.
He expressed hope that this initiative would provide long-term benefits to children’s home residents and help them build a brighter future in entrepreneurship.
Regarding the programme, Ewon stated that Bank Rakyat contributed RM10,000 to the Kota Kinabalu Children’s Home and RM6,000 to the As-Sakinah Orphanage.
“I appreciate Bank Rakyat’s initiative in carrying out this corporate social responsibility programme to assist those in need. May this help fulfil their requirements and bring joy to the children in both homes,” he said.
Also present was the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Ali, who is also the Papar MP, along with Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Mohd Irwan Mohd Mubarak.
