By DayakDaily Team
SAMARAHAN, Aug 14: The Sarawak government has approved RM28 million to strengthen youth entrepreneurship through the Sarawak Youth Startup grant and a soft loan scheme.
Deputy Minister for Entrepreneur Development Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat said RM3 million would be allocated annually under the Sarawak Youth Startup grant, while RM25 million had been approved for the soft loan scheme.
“The Sarawak government, under the leadership of the Sarawak Premier, has approved RM3 million annually for the Sarawak Youth Startup grant to support the development of startups under our ministry.
“Additionally, a RM25 million soft loan scheme has also been approved,” he said when speaking at the launch of the Youth Marketplace in conjunction with Youth Week 2026 here today, as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
Ripin said the soft loan scheme was now at the final stage of documentation and was expected to help young entrepreneurs expand their businesses and increase their participation in programmes and trade expos.
He also urged young entrepreneurs to enhance the competitiveness of their products by focusing on quality, packaging, research and development (R&D), digital marketing and production capacity to meet market demand.
“Products must also comply with established standards to enhance their market potential and enable entrepreneurs to generate higher incomes,” he added.
Ripin highlighted that the initiatives were in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, particularly in ensuring that Sarawak’s younger generation benefited from rising incomes alongside the State’s economic growth.
Meanwhile, Youth Marketplace, organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED), serves as a platform for young entrepreneurs to promote and market their products directly to consumers.
This year’s programme brought together 30 entrepreneurs from the Sarawak Youth Startup initiative, the Ministry of International Trade and Investment (MINTRED), and the Samarahan Division Entrepreneur Development Council.
Also present were MYSED permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron and MYSED Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Division head Seroji Ludin. — DayakDaily
