MIRI, Feb 22: The “Jum Regista Bisnes” programme held in Miri hosted by Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred) in collaboration with Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) yesterday attracted more than 200 Bumiputera-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The programmed aimed to enable entrepreneurs to register their businesses, access assistance from the government or financial institutions, and assist in exploring other business prospects.
Mintred Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the Sarawak government has spent a total of RM6.9 billion under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 1.0 to 9.0, which not only benefited SMEs but also those who were eligible to receiving the financial assistance.
“The Sarawak government through my ministry will continue providing financial loans through the Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme (SMCS) to help SME entrepreneurs,” he disclosed.
So far, a total of RM59.98 million has been distributed to 1,904 entrepreneurs in Sarawak.
Awang Tengah’s speech text was read out by his deputy Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh who represented the former at the programme.
Meanwhile, under the Small and Medium Industries Loan Scheme (SPIKS), a total of RM33.01 million has been channeled to 432 recipients, and RM9.83 million to 1,139 recipients via the Vocational and Technical Entrepreneur (USTEV) programme.
For Special Relief Facility (SRF), Targeted Relief and Recovery Facility (TRRF), and Penjana Tourism Financing (PTF) programmes, a total of RM76.1 million has been approved as of January 31 last year, which benefited 3,335 recipients.
In 2023, an allocation amounting at RM5 million has been approved for the Go Digital programme in Sarawak which is expected to benefit 500 new SME entrepreneurs.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development II (Entrepreneur Development) Dr Ripin Lamat and Deputy Miri Resident Juan Ubit. — DayakDaily
