By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Sept 21: Sarawak government will continue to provide essential facilities that could support and enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to grow and succeed.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan pointed out that more facilities would be created in small towns to reach out to SMEs and entrepreneurs in rural areas.
“We want to develop the industrial estates in rural areas. Like Marudi and many other small towns throughout Sarawak, this initiative will open up and provide more opportunities for SMEs,” he said.
“Grab the opportunities to grow your business and expand your networking,” he advised when addressing the launching of the first edition Fiesta Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) 2019 Miri and Batu Niah branch held at Miri City Council (MCC) field here this afternoon (Sept 21).
He noted the challenges faced by SMEs and entrepreneurs including inadequate locations for trading as well as promotion and marketing.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industry Terminal and Enterpreneur Development, assured that various initiatives and programmes to assist and support industry players have been implemented by the government.
On products marketing and promotion abroad, he said the government will assist but SMEs must be creative and innovative in making product packaging attractive as it was an integral marketing strategy.
He also lauded AIM for their continuous efforts in helping SMEs entrepreneurs set up businesses by providing financial assistance.
Earlier on, AIM Borneo operation director Che Mahdi Idris revealed that AIM Sarawak has a total 44,760 members and out of that, 2,132 members are from Miri while 2,160 from Batu Niah.
“A total RM232 million has been allocated for Sarawak this year and to date, RM1 million out of the total fund has been disbursed for Miri-Niah AIM,” he explained.
At the event, Awang Tengah announced an allocation of RM30,000 to Miri AIM branch to assist the members.
There were nearly 200 booths set up for the two-days fiesta which started today.
Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat and Lembaga Perwakilan Sahabat Miri chairlady Urai Laing were present.— DayakDaily
