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Sibu — a city for elderly?

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Lau (fourth right) with SCCCI members popping the balloons to declare open the exhibition.

Come home, Sibu youth urged

SIBU: In order to prevent Sibu from becoming a ‘city for the elderly’ in the next 10 years, youth who are working outstation are encouraged to return home.

Speaking at the opening of First Borneo Entrepreneurship Festival yesterday, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said youth who come back to their hometown could venture into business.

The event which featured 110 exhibition booths was organised by the Youth Entrepreneur Committee of Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI).

Tiong said Sibu is experiencing an exodus of youth working outstation and even outside the country, due to lack of employment opportunities.

“Most youth here after completing their studies have to leave their hometowns and work outside the country because of a lack of employment opportunities in their area,” he said.

Tiong said it is estimated that in the next 10 years, 25 per cent of Sibu’s population of 240,000 will be 65 years and above, resulting in an aging population. 

“Therefore, we should encourage young people to return to their hometowns to start businesses and reduce the outflow of population in order to prevent Sibu from becoming a city for the elderly,” he said.

Tiong’s text of speech was read by his representative, Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong who is SCCCI president.

Lau (fourth right) with SCCCI members popping the balloons to declare open the exhibition.

He lauded the setting up of the Youth Entrepreneurship Training Fund by SCCCI to help young people venture into business.

“As long as young people master the appropriate marketing methods, they can even re-create our specialty products such as trough vegetables, peppers and many more to the whole country and even every corner of the world, which is a business opportunity that could be explored by them,” he added.

Tiong said many people still have the mentality that only those working in air-conditioned rooms could earn a good income. 

“However, times have changed. Farming, animal husbandry and handicraft manufacturing have also received much attention in recent years. It is not difficult to earn good income as long as they have the relevant knowledge and can be a leader in their specific fields,” he said.

Tiong wanted SCCCI to organise business training courses to encourage young people who are interested in starting a business to take advantage of the opportunities available.

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