Visitors to Kitagas Village open up more convenient business space for rural residents.

SANDAKAN, September 19: Rains and torrential heat no longer hinder small traders in Kitagas Village, Ulu Dusun, after a Village Guest was developed to provide more comfortable business space for the locals.

The RM200,000 facility was developed under the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP) Rural Guest Program and completed in June.

Guests of Kitagas Village can now be used by residents from around 14 villages to sell agricultural produce, food and a variety of local products.

The chairman of Sabah Berhad Vacation Entrepreneurs' Co-operative, Dr Peter Naintin said the need to create the business space was identified after he had inspected more than 50 villages in the Libaran area.

According to him, most traders in Ulu Village previously operated roadside businesses in unsafe and uncomfortable conditions.

"We feel their safety and comfort is not so good. So, with that initiative, we are working with the Sandakan Municipal Council to identify these entrepreneurs and bring them together in one area", he said.

The premise can also be used for meetings, government programs, community gatherings and community activities.

Deputy Chief Minister III Sabah, Datuk Ewon Benedick said that the majority of traders in the village guests are women, especially mothers who work to increase family income.

"If we look at ourselves in the field, most or almost all of those who work on these guests are women and mothers. So, this is our gift to them by providing better comfort. At least when it rains, they're not wet and when the heat hits them, they don't feel the smell like before", he said.

When inaugurating the Kitagas Village Guest, Ewon also announced an additional RM200,000 allocation next year to improve facilities at the premises.

The Village Guest Initiative for Sabah and Sarawak was launched by the Federal Government in 2024.

Ewon hopes the program will be continued through Budget 2027 to support economic activities and strengthen the guest's role as a rural community center. - TVS