A total of RM157 million has been distributed to Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs through the Bumiputera Entrepreneur Start-up Scheme Programme (SUPERB) since its launch in 2014.
Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit CEO Md Silmi Abd Rahman said the programme had benefitted some 183 entrepreneurs, with the latest addition of 25 more announced at the 2020 SUPERB Winners Appreciation ceremony officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof (picture) recently.
He added that all 25 recipients were selected from 1,149 participants through the SUPERB 2020 competition based on business presentation or “business pitching” since it started in August last year.
“With an allocation of RM144.5 million by the government, SUPERB opens up opportunities to give birth to more young entrepreneurs and therefore directly enhances the economic position of the Bumiputera.
“The winners selected this year have presented business ideas that are quite innovative and thorough in terms of digitisation and use of technology, competitive and able to thrive in line with the new norms,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He also noted that the SUPERB programme aims to empower Bumiputera start-up entrepreneurs facing the IR4.0 era with businesses that have attractive added-value.
“The focus is on business ideas that can solve problems or ease the daily life of the community, in line with government priorities to reduce unemployment issues, strengthen business activities and at the same time encourage the transition of local businesses to e-commerce and the gig economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Redzuan commended the achievements made by the participants who presented creative and innovative ideas.
“I am proud to be in the circle of creative and innovative young entrepreneurs providing out-of-the-box offerings and applying technological sophistication in business development.
“It is something that coincides with the current situation that saw gig economic growth around the world,” he added.
The minister also said Malaysia is among the largest Internet users in the Asian region, hence the country needs to seize the opportunity in giving birth to more entrepreneurs, businesses, job opportunities and business based on this gig economy.
The SUPERB programme, which is based on “business pitching” competition, has witnessed the journey of 1,149 Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs and aspiring-to-be entrepreneurs from all over the country.
The youths went through several business presentation processes which started in August 2020, to qualify for the title of champion.
From that number, 60 participants were selected to the final stage for their online business presentation, on Dec 11 and Dec 12 last year.
The winners received a fund distribution of RM12.5 million making the overall distribution of the SUPERB programme since its launch in 2014 to RM157 million.
The winners represented various industries such as the digital economy, creative art, health, fashion, agribusiness, social enterprise, partnership economy and IR4.0.
Source: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2021/01/11/superb-aiding-bumiputera-youth-entrepreneurs/