Awang Tengah (centre), Mussen (second left) and Ripin (second right) are joined by other members of the committee at the meeting.
KUCHING (April 16): Sarawak aims to register 10,000 new entrepreneurs and have 30,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopt digital platforms by 2030, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
In a statement, he said the targets, set under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), reflect Sarawak’s commitment to strengthening its entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak, said coordinated efforts are being intensified to support MSME growth and competitiveness.
“Since the implementation of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the Sarawak government has allocated RM365.7 million for MSME development, benefiting more than 47,400 entrepreneurs through various initiatives,” he said in the statement issued after chairing the Sarawak Entrepreneur Development Coordination Committee (SEDCC) Main Committee Meeting on Wednesday.
He said MSMEs currently contribute about 18 per cent to Sarawak’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“This is expected to grow further through programmes by both the federal and Sarawak governments,” he added.
Awang Tengah said MSMEs are encouraged to enhance their capacity and capabilities to remain competitive globally.
He added that the government has outlined various empowerment programmes covering capacity and skills development, financial assistance, product development and marketing, market expansion, as well as the provision of ecosystems such as industrial estates and business premises.
“Beyond conventional sectors, MSMEs are also encouraged to participate in supply and value chains offered by both foreign and domestic investors, particularly within industrial parks and estates.
“They are also urged to explore new economic sectors such as renewable energy, aerospace, digitalisation and food security,” he said.
On a related matter, he said the Sarawak government has introduced Enbase, a one-stop digital platform to coordinate entrepreneur data and facilitate access to assistance and development programmes.
He added ‘Jom Regista Bisnes’ programme will also be strengthened to encourage formal business registration, especially among informal entrepreneurs.
On the meeting, he said it focused on aligning entrepreneurship development strategies, enhancing collaboration between federal and state agencies, and accelerating digital adoption among MSMEs.
“This is crucial to ensure MSMEs remain competitive in an increasingly challenging global economic landscape,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat.
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