Comprehensive database for S’wak entrepreneurs to be established by mid-2025, says Awg Tengah

KUCHING (July 13): A comprehensive database for entrepreneurs in Sarawak is expected to be established by the middle of next year, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

This database, he said, aims to enhance monitoring, promotion, and participation in various entrepreneurial programmes across the state.

Speaking at the Sarawak-level National Cooperative Day 2024 at Plaza Merdeka today, the state Minister of International Trade, Industry, and Investment, emphasised the importance of this platform in ensuring that development programmes and assistance reach the intended beneficiaries.

“This platform will be used to ensure that entrepreneurial development programmes and assistance reach the right target groups,” he said.

Met by reporters after the event, Awang Tengah elaborated on the ministry’s ongoing efforts to update existing data.

“We are collaborating with all relevant agencies to ensure that we have comprehensive data on the types of businesses involved and the kinds of assistance provided, whether financial or training.

“This will help us understand which aspects are beneficial to their operations and identify areas that lead to failure,” he said.

“With this data, we can plan more effectively and direct agencies to provide the necessary support.

“This initiative aligns with our efforts to form a coordination committee involving federal and state agencies, which will streamline our assistance programmes,” he added.

When asked, Awang tengah confirmed that cooperatives would also be included in this initiative.

“This also includes cooperatives, as the coordination committee involves the Sarawak branch of the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission,” he said.

Responding to inquiries about the performance of over 1,000 cooperatives in Sarawak, he acknowledged that some were inactive.

“We aim to help these inactive cooperatives. Previously, I was also in charge of these cooperatives, and now Datuk Naroden has been appointed to work with the Cooperative Commission.

“We need to identify the causes of inactivity and plan the necessary assistance,” he said.

He highlighted the potential for cooperatives to expand into various sectors, including agriculture and livestock, to enhance food security.

“We want successful cooperatives to explore new sectors, not just conventional business.

“There are many technologies and innovations they can adopt to improve productivity and management efficiency,” he said.

Awang Tengah also mentioned the importance of digital platforms and the new economy in driving cooperative growth.

“Cooperatives can serve as a platform for the community to learn business management.

“School-level cooperatives are an excellent foundation for instilling business values.”

Addressing the issue of overlapping grants, Awang Tengah said that the ministry aims to reduce redundancy where the same individuals receive similar allocations from different agencies.

“The coordination committee will help ensure our assistance programmes are well-distributed and reach remote and underserved areas,” he said.