Tenom: The Sabah Government has allocated RM10 million through a collaboration between the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah and the Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) to empower young women entrepreneurs in the State.
“The fund is channelled through loans to young women entrepreneurs to help them expand their businesses,” said IDS Director Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun Banir.
She said the loan funding is implemented under the Young Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Programme (Dayang) introduced by IDS and SCC which has been mandated by the Sabah Government to manage the initiative.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“This is an initiative by the Sabah Government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to support young women entrepreneurs involved in various business sectors,” she told the media after officiating the Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs: Women’s Power, Economic Power programme organised by IDS and SCC in collaboration with the Tenom District Office at the Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Antenom, here, Wednesday.
Azizah said through the Dayang programme, young women entrepreneur can apply for a minimum loan of RM10, 000 and a maximum of RM50, 000.
She added that with this loan funding, they can expand their businesses while improving the quality of their products.
“We are confident that the products of our young women entrepreneurs can penetrate the international market if they continue to receive support. In fact, some products from young women entrepreneurs have already entered the global market,” she said, referring to entrepreneur Emily Jeneble, a handicraft entrepreneur from Kampung Batu Lunguyan in Sook, renowned for her expertise in bamboo weaving.
Azizah said Emily not only produces bamboo-woven products such as handbags and souvenirs but has also successfully assisted over 300 women beneficiaries in her village and surrounding areas.
“Her efforts have helped generate sustainable income for rural women in Sabah. I understand that the annual sales from the Kampung Batu Lunguyan community exceed RM500, 000 per year, a very impressive figure,” she added.
Earlier in her speech, Azizah said the programme helps realise the initiatives outlined in the Sabah Budget 2025.
She said in the budget, the government announced financial incentives and capital assistance specifically for young women entrepreneurs through the Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs Programme.
“Among the objectives of this programme is to assist young women in venturing into business, particularly in overcoming capital constraints. This is because the government recognises and respects the role of young women as agents of change in Sabah’s socio-economic landscape,” she said.
In this regard, she said IDS and SCC have been mandated by the government to manage this programme by introducing the Dayang loan scheme.
“The combination of expertise between a research body and a financial institution will ensure more efficient program implementation, focusing on the impact on young women entrepreneurs. This is the first collaboration of its kind and IDS hopes it will continue to help the Sabah Government enhance various entrepreneurial programs in the State,” she said.
She said that after being launched by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun on Feb 27, 2025, at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu, the Young Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Tour Series 1 was held in Beaufort and Ranau.
At the same time, Azizah encouraged young women entrepreneurs to make the most of the opportunities provided.
“You may be eligible for this loan to start a new business or expand an existing one,” she said.
She also urged young women entrepreneurs in the district to view entrepreneurship not just as a means of livelihood but as a platform to empower communities, preserve heritage and build a brighter future.
Present were SCC Deputy Chairman Datuk Surinam Sadikun, IDS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul, SCC Chief Executive Officer Datuk George Taitim Tulas and Melalap Community Development Leader Simon Mamat, among others.
Some 300 women took part in the programme.
