RM30mil to assist bumi entrepreneurs

ABOUT RM30mil has been approved by Johor Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to help local entrepreneurs build their businesses.

Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the total allocation was approved within the first eight months of this year.

During this period, some 285 recipients in Johor were helped through the Mara Business Financing Scheme.

“This is a large amount to enable Johor entrepreneurs to further increase their capacity in the business and industry they are engaged in,” said Rubiah.

She was speaking to reporters during a “Jom Business Johor” event at Mara Technology Entrepreneurship Complex in Johor Baru.

She said Mara, a federal agency, had always played a significant role in developing trade and industry within the bumiputra community, whether through entrepreneurship or education programmes.

She further said this could be proven through programmes implemented to not only boost the position of bumiputras in the country, but also open up opportunities for them to compete at the global level.

“For example, potential entrepreneurs who have internationally recognised certification can participate in the Gate to Global (GTG) programme through international promotions or expos, and subsequently gain access to export their products abroad through business matching with industry players.”

Rubiah said there were currently 57 active entrepreneurs under the programme, and that three local entrepreneurs took part in an expo held in Dubai last year.

She added that Mara also provided business premises facilities to entrepreneurs.

This comprises 931 business lots through 60 projects in 10 districts in Johor covering Johor Baru, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Segamat, Batu Pahat, Muar, Tangkak, Kluang, Pontian and Kulai.

Rubiah said the tenant development programme had also been implemented to ensure entrepreneurs at Mara premises were given exposure in business digitisation and certification, according to industry standards and requirements.

“There are six entrepreneurs who will receive the Advanced Technology Entrepreneur Development Programme (Adapt) facility, which involves equipment and machine assistance in various industries.

“In addition, there are six participants from the youth group who will receive offer letters to participate in the Mara incubator facility through the Start-Up Accelerator Programme (Star) in the field of creative technology and multimedia.

“The programme will be held at the Johor Mara office in Plaza Larkin.”

Rubiah hoped that the various aid and programmes carried out by Mara could be fully utilised by recipients to further increase their business capacity.