BINTULU: More than 178,000 entrepreneurs in Sarawak have received assistance from various state and federal government agencies over the past few years, amounting to a total exceeding RM3.3 billion.
This achievement underscores the Sarawak government’s continued commitment to empowering the entrepreneurial sector as a key driver of economic development.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED) remains steadfast in its support of entrepreneurship, particularly in boosting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He said that during the same period, over 41,800 MSMEs benefited from targeted assistance worth RM204 million through various programmes under MINTRED.
“This support includes grants, SME loans and initiatives such as the Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme.
“Last year, we also allocated millions of ringgit from the Sarawak government to run programmes like ‘Go Digital’, where we provided RM10,000 grants, as well as initiatives such as ‘Jom Register’,” he said during the launch of the Sarawak Entrepreneurs Showcase (SUS) 2025 held here recently.
He also stressed the importance of Sarawakian entrepreneurs stepping out of their comfort zones and exploring markets in other states and abroad.
To this end, he encouraged them to tap into the opportunities presented by Malaysia’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to export their products internationally.
“It’s vital that we continue to enhance our capabilities through upskilling. We must also understand and meet the requirements necessary to compete in international markets.
“We already have strong potential, but that potential must continuously be improved. This is an ongoing process, and we must fully utilise all the platforms available to us,” he added.
Touching on the programme itself, he noted that a variety of exciting activities were lined up – including cooking demonstrations, business pitching sessions and business matching events – with the participation of six key companies including AEON, Mydin and eMart, collectively aiming for potential sales of RM3 million.
Following the Bintulu leg, the next SUS 2025 programme is scheduled to be held at Queensbay Mall, Penang, from 28 August to 1 September 2025.
