KOTA KINABALU, Sept 8 — The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry has outlined five focuses in Budget 2024 to create an entrepreneurial nation, said its minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
These focuses are: to increase the participation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the high-value sector to penetrate the global market; to strengthen the sustainability of MSMEs and cooperatives to increase economic competitiveness; to empower micro-enterprises to ensure business continuity; to intensify the ability of cooperative movements in the supply chain; and to strengthen the social entrepreneurship ecosystem to normalise social impact.
“The five main focuses were identified as a result of input obtained directly through engagement sessions held with stakeholders representing associations, chambers of commerce, non-governmental organisations, cooperatives and government agencies,” he said in a statement after attending the Budget 2024 dialogue session for his ministry here yesterday.
Ewon said dialogue participants made suggestions on financing and licensing and the provision of more premises such as entrepreneurial hubs, business spaces, processing centres and upgraded facilities.
“There were also proposals for development programmes or the organisation of various programmes such as expos in Malaysia, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, while proposals to bring Sabah and Sarawak entrepreneurs abroad were also proposed,” he said.
Ewon said the proposals made by the participants during the dialogue session were part of the 54 proposals for Budget 2024 that his ministry had submitted to the Finance Ministry.
— Bernama
