PENAMPANG: The need for business premises such as an entrepreneurial hub was among those proposed by Sabah and Sarawak entrepreneurs at the 2024 Budget Dialogue for the Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperatives Ministry (Kuskop) at ITCC Penampang, here, Thursday.
Also raised were issues related to financing and licensing, the need for more entrepreneurship training and development programmes, as well as overseas visits for entrepreneurs from both regions.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who chaired the dialogue for all industry players in Sabah and Sarawak, said it was attended by representatives of associations, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS), hawkers and small traders.
He said a similar dialogue was held in Kuala Lumpur recently for industry players in West Malaysia.
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“A total of 17 participants representing associations, cooperatives and organisations expressed their views and suggestions. We accept and welcome their suggestions and views.
“Part of the proposals have already been included in Kuskop’s original proposal that we submitted to the Finance Ministry,” he told reporters after the dialogue session.
Kuskop Secretary-General Dato’ Sri Suriani Dato Ahmad, Deputy Secretary-General (Entrepreneurial Development) Datuk Haji Zamri Salleh, Deputy Secretary-General for Policy and Monitoring Noor Afifah Abdul Razak, heads of agencies under the Ministry and senior officials were also present.
Ewon said the suggestions involve issues related to financing, either grants or loans, the provision of more business premises such as entrepreneurial hubs as well as processing centres and facilities.
He said the participants also suggested more entrepreneurship training not only for cooperatives but small and medium entrepreneurs, including micro and informal entrepreneurs, in Sabah.
“They also provided views on licensing issues, the funding application process, criteria and conditions that need to be improved.
“Development programmes or organisation of various related programmes such as expos in Malaysia, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, and proposals to bring Sabah and Sarawak entrepreneurs abroad are also proposed.
“All these suggestions are indeed good and are included in proposal 54 that we have submitted to the Finance Ministry,” he said.
According to him, six of the 54 main initiatives of Kuskop’s 2024 Budget will be included in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s budget speech during the tabling of the 2024 Budget next month.
“All the 54 main initiatives of the Kuskop’s 2024 Budget are our priorities. However, six of them have a big impact on the people as a whole,” he said.
Ewon, who is also Penampang MP, said Kuskop has outlined five main focuses in Budget 2024 for the Ministry, which is important to realise sustainable economic development and create a superior entrepreneurial nation.
He said the five main focuses for the 2024 Budget Initiatives were identified as a result of inputs obtained directly through engagement sessions held with stakeholders representing associations, chambers of commerce, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), cooperatives and government agencies.
“One of the main focuses is to increase the participation of PMKS in the high-value sector to penetrate the global market.
“Apart from that, Kuskop will also focus on strengthening the sustainability of PMKS and cooperatives to increase economic competitiveness, empowering micro-enterprises to ensure business continuity.
“Also, to strengthen the ability of the cooperative movement in the supply chain and strengthen the social entrepreneurship ecosystem to normalise social impact,” he said.
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