BY FASIHA KHUSHIRI
WEEKLY monitoring meetings with contractors and consultants will be held to ensure a timely completion of the Sematan and Telok Melano Entrepreneur Hub (Anjung Usahawan).
The International Trade Industry and Investment Ministry will also conduct regular site visits.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Malcolm Mussem Lamoh said the implementation status of the Sematan industrial estate stood at 89 per cent and is scheduled for completion this year, while the delayed projects are at 21 and 28 per cent respectively.
“Apart from these contractor management problems, the causes of the delay include changes in the scope of work, lack of supply of building materials, weather factors, and even the movement control order during the pandemic,” he said.
Malcolm (GPS-Batang Ai) said this in response to Azizul (GPS-Tanjung Datu) during question time at the DUN sitting on Wednesday (May 18).
He said in order to help Sarawak entrepreneurs, including in Tanjung Datu, Sematan, Teluk Melano, the ministry also provides financial assistance such as Small and Medium Industry loan scheme (SPIM),Graduates Towards Entrepreneurship (GERAK), Technical and Vocational Entrepreneurs (USTEV), and the Sarawak Micro Scheme.
He added that to date, a total of 17 SMEs in Tanjung Datu, Sematan and Teluk Melano have been assisted with financial assistance amounting to RM426, 000 through SPIM, GERAK, USTEV, SKMS and the Tunas Bumiputera Youth Entrepreneur (TUBE) program.
“The Ministry also provides assistance to SMEs in Tanjung Datu, Sematan and Teluk Melano, in terms of promotion, and product marketing so that they can expand the market to the domestic and international levels. A total of six entrepreneurs from Lundu have been assisted through the Kedai Kita product promotion programme which will be broadcast on Sarawak TV,” he explained.
Malcolm also noted that there are several other government agencies offer assistance to help Sarawak SMEs namely the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) through the Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Programme (PUTERA), Pioneer Value Scheme, Business Scheme, Premier Business Scheme, and also Bumiputera Contractor Financial Scheme where a total of 1863 SMEs with a total of RM12.38 million were assisted for the period 2020 to 2022.
“Under SME Corp’s Bumiputera Entreprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP), Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera Programme (TUBE) and business accelerator programme, a total of 217 SMEs have benefitted from RM6.74 million channeled to assist for the period 2020 to 2022.
“Lastly, Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad’s Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Project (PROSPER) and Jum Jadi Perintis Program (JUMPER) saw a total of 33 SMEs being assisted with a total of RM10.3 million for the period 2020 to 2022,” he said.
