KUCHING: The Sarawak government will be introducing special assistance next year, namely, the Bumiputera Business Empowerment Fund and Business Recovery Assistance Fund.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the Bumiputera Business Empowerment Fund would be allocated with a sum of RM10 million to help Bumiputera business associations tide over during the Covid-19 pandemic through business enhancement programmes.
The Business Recovery Assistance Fund, he said, was a one-off special grant of RM20 million to assist Sarawak Business Federation and its 15 affiliates to organise capacity building and enterprises development programmes for their members.
Abang Johari revealed this during the special meeting on the 2022 State Budget with Sarawakian lawmakers at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Tuesday (Oct 12).
“The state government will continue to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to recover and rebuild their businesses while facilitating new start-ups.
“Thus, in 2022, a total sum of RM25.1 million will be allocated to facilitate the recovery of businesses, SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs through the implementation of interest subsidies schemes under special relief facility, targeted relief and recovery facility and the Penjana tourism financing,” he said.
He added the 2022 State Budget would also provide a sum of RM24.5 million for entrepreneurship programmes, Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme, SME loan scheme, Go Digital programme and digital marketing training.
Under the agriculture transformation programmes, Abang Johari said a sum of RM134 million would be allocated for the implementation of various agricultural projects towards ensuring sufficient food supplies, raising and sustaining farmers’ incomes, strengthening agriculture ecosystem and promoting smart agriculture.
“The projects, among others, are agroparks in Bebuling, Spaoh; Sg. Baji and Parit Bugis in Sarikei and Sadong Jaya in Samarahan as well as the Livestock Industry Development programme,” he said.
As part of the state’s efforts to uplift the livelihood of the rural populace, he said the state government would continue to implement various Rural Growth Centres projects at Betong, Mukah, Miri, and Kuching as well as rural ICT development programmes with an allocation of RM19.7 million next year.
“Apart from that, an allocation of RM60 million will be made available as a special financial assistance to oil palm and pepper smallholders.
“Another RM15 million will be allocated to continue with the implementation of Bantuan Musim Tengkujuh Nelayan (Fishermen Monsoon Season Assistance). This assistance will benefit 80,000 smallholders and fishermen,” added Abang Johari.
All forms of assistance are stated under the third strategic thrust entitled ‘Facilitating and Sustaining Business Recovery’ of the 2022 State Budget.
