KUCHING: Sixty promising young Sarawakians have been selected to participate in the latest edition of the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) 11 programme, aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and leadership among the state’s youth.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the TUBE 11 Sarawak programme will focus on supporting youths who have already started businesses.
The emphasis is on strengthening their entrepreneurial resilience and expanding their reach through artificial intelligence (AI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, access to capital, and digital platforms that connect them to global markets.
Awang Tengah added that the programme is being held from 21 to 28 May, spanning eight days of intensive development, mentorship, and business immersion.
“I hope our youths will fully seize this opportunity to become more innovative and competitive,” he said in his speech at the officiating ceremony held at Sarawak Sports Village today.
He shared that to date, a total of 879 Sarawakian youth have participated in the programme, creating over 1,691 job opportunities, and generating more than RM13.65 million in cumulative sales.
“To ensure the TUBE programme continues to benefit our youth and deliver maximum impact, continuous improvement is essential.
“Therefore, TUBE 11 will focus on participants who have already started their businesses, and support the continuity of their ventures,” he said.
In light of this, SME Corporation Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Rizal Nainy, expressed confidence in the Sarawakian participants, highlighting their strong community spirit and unique cultural values.
“I believe the TUBE 11 participants in Sarawak this year have their own strengths, a strong sense of community, and a unique culture.
“This potential must be nurtured through knowledge, market exposure, and continuous encouragement, such as the TUBE programme,” he said.
He added that with the right support, Sarawak’s Bumiputera youth could build sustainable businesses not only in their home state but also contribute towards economic transformation at the national and regional levels.
“This year we are facing increasingly complex challenges including global competition, trade wars, and geopolitical uncertainty.
“Therefore, businesses that wish to remain relevant must be built on resilience, innovation, and an understanding of the current market,” he said.
Rizal also reaffirmed SME Corp Malaysia’s commitment to tracking TUBE graduates and supporting those with businesses lasting over two years through new scaling-up programmes under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13).
He urged participants to remain focused on their goals.
“I hope this year, all TUBE 11 participants will ensure that the business plans they implement are on the best path as intended,” he added.
He noted that SME Corp Malaysia business counsellors will continue to support TUBE 11 participants and alumni, including through alternative financing of up to RM100,000 at a two per cent profit rate per annum via Funding Societies, as well as business coaching, and domestic or international market-matching activities.
“It is hoped that with continuous support from the government, this will help the development and growth of entrepreneurs’ businesses in Sarawak,” he said.
