Sarawak recorded a five-year business survival rate of 77.3 percent for enterprises established in 2019, according to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) tabled in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh said the figure underscores the effectiveness of government-led entrepreneurship support programmes, as the state simultaneously recorded a low closure rate of just 3.2 percent.
He was responding to Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor during the Q&A session today.
“This shows that the initiatives implemented by the Sarawak government are effective,” he said.
The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), which serves as one of the key implementing agencies for entrepreneurship programmes in the state, disbursed a total allocation of RM6 million in 2025, benefiting 579 entrepreneurs under various grant schemes administered by the Ministry.
Among the recipients, 327 received the Technical and Vocational Entrepreneur Grant valued at RM2.5 million, while 218 benefited from the Graduate Towards Entrepreneurship Grant amounting to RM1.9 million.
A further 26 entrepreneurs were assisted under the Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme (RM660,000) and 8 received funding through the Small and Medium Industry Loan Scheme (RM980,000).
Beyond SEDC, the State Financial Secretary’s Office channelled an additional RM8.4 million in financing to 65 entrepreneurs — 62 of whom were recipients of the Bumiputera Small Contractor Financing Scheme, with the remaining 3 receiving RM30,000 through the Cottage Entrepreneur Development Programme.
On the digital front, the ministry has implemented the Sarawak Digital Mall programme to train entrepreneurs in e-commerce skills, alongside the Go Digital grant for the purchase of digital equipment.
“Both are aimed at strengthening competitiveness in the digital economy,” he said.
