LIMBANG, Oct 3: The three-day Usahawan Desa (Rural Entrepreneurs) Mini Carnival here recorded cash sales reaching RM400,000, which is a twofold increase over its initial target.
Rural Development Minister Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the event which started on Friday (Sept 30) saw over 30,000 visitors.
“If we take into account the business matching session, the total value that was successfully recorded reached RM1.1million,” he said during the closing ceremony for the mini carnival at Limbang Sports Complex here yesterday (Oct 2).
He pointed out the mini carnival is one of the Ministry of Rural Development’s (KPLB) initiatives to empower financing systems, physical facilities and rural support systems for entrepreneurs.
“The programme provides a platform for all parties involved in the entrepreneurial chain including manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers and distributors to establish strategic cooperation including expanding their business network.
“Through this programme, KPLB can also collect information and get the latest feedback from rural entrepreneurs especially under the guidance of KPLB regarding the effectiveness of the entrepreneurship strengthening programme that has been implemented by agencies under KPLB,” he added.
Among the agencies under KPLB which provide rural entrepreneur development programmes are Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), FELCRA Berhad, Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS), Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) and Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA).
At the same event, Mahdzir also presented grants from the Rural Entrepreneurship Strengthening Scheme (SPKLB) to 25 rural entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, 25 more entrepreneurs received assistance in setting up stalls under the Income Enhancement Programme (PPP) while another 10 recipients benefitted from the Quick Win Kemas (Catering Management) Programme.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Deputy Minister of Rural Development II, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah; Deputy Minister for Food Industries, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; and KPLB secretary general Datuk Ramlan Harun. — DayakDaily
