TELUPID: Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick has called on agencies under his ministry to intensify efforts to develop rural entrepreneurs nationwide.
He said the move was crucial to ensure rural communities were not left behind in the country’s entrepreneurship growth, especially given the high logistics and business operation costs they face.
Ewon noted that since 2025, Tekun Nasional had channelled RM109 million in financing to 2,006 entrepreneurs across Sabah, including RM8.5 million to 207 entrepreneurs in Telupid.
He added that various initiatives tailored for Sabah and Sarawak had been introduced under his ministry’s “Look East Within the Country” policy, including the Tamu Entrepreneur Financing Scheme and the Bumiputera Entrepreneur Enhancement Programme (Beep Plus).
Ewon, who officiated at the Tekun Nasional Telupid Entrepreneurs’ Gathering in Kampung Gana Jati, also presented awards and financing aid to local entrepreneurs, stressing that such programmes help strengthen the rural economy and reduce poverty.