By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, June 20 — Approximately 510 Indian entrepreneurs have received equipment aid via the Selangor Indian Empowerment and Entrepreneurs Development (i-SEED) programme since last year.
State executive councillor for socio-economic development V Ganabatirau said the amount involved 260 entrepreneurs last year, and another 250 entrepreneurs this year with a RM1 million allocation every year.
“This year alone we received 700 applications where out of this number over 500 really qualified and up to now 250 have been approved.
“In truth, the allocation is insufficient as many have applied for it, yet we will find a solution to aid this category,” he said during a press conference at the Selangor State Secretariat Building earlier today.
Ganabatirau added that all forms of equipment aid applications will be received, save for laptops.
“Many applied for laptops on the grounds of conducting online sales, such applications will be rejected. Only those with sales products and services will be processed,” he said.
i-SEED, which was launched on April 7 last year, is aimed at increasing the economic level of the Indian community via grants for equipment aid, which is a necessity for their businesses.
Among the conditions are that applicants must be native Selangor residents or have resided in the state for over 10 years, with an individual or household income of RM3,000 a month, and must operate their business in Selangor.
The applying business must also be active and consistent, with the applicant or couple (husband/wife) never having received equipment aid under the Selangor Poverty Eradication Blueprint aid programme or the Selangor Micro Entrepreneur Fund.
