Advertisement

Image credit: Focus Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU: Some 4,425 youths in Sabah are involved in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), said State Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan.

He said out of this figure, 4,101 are under the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR), while 324 are participating in programmes facilitated by the Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry.

He added that the Ministry continues to gather data from unregistered youth entrepreneurs and agencies involved directly or indirectly with the industry and entrepreneurship.

“The Ministry does not have a direct role in SMEs,” he said when responding to a question Usukan Assemblyman Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.

“However, it is involved in assisting youths to start and develop businesses through the Youth Entrepreneurship Success Scheme (Syabas). 

“So far, 2,893 youths have received this assistance.”

Fairuz said the businesses conducted include agriculture, tourism, retail and others.

Among the State Government’s initiatives to assist SMEs are providing entrepreneurship grants through the Syabas programme, organising special programmes for youths through the Young Agropreneur Grant (GAM) and providing assistance in machinery and equipment for food processing, packaging and labelling through the Change Upgrade Product (Cup) matching grant programme and SME-Up assistance, among others.

Source: https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/233032/4-425-sabah-youths-in-small-and-medium-enterprises/