SARIKEI: A total of 163 women from the lower income group have received a total grant of RM325,345, with each receiving business equipment valued at RM2,000.
The recipients consist of single mothers or female household heads who are eligible for a one-off grant, including women entrepreneurs from Sarawak aged 18 and above who qualify under the B40 group.
“I hope the recipients will fully utilise this capital grant to advance their respective businesses,” said Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
She was speaking at the presentation of the Empowering Women Capital Grant for the Sarikei Division at Dewan Sri Nyelong here yesterday (Feb 27).
The initiative, a collaboration between the Sarawak Women and Family Department and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), aims to empower women entrepreneurs, she said.
As such, she extended her appreciation to the Sarikei Branch of the Melanau Association for their willingness to serve as a key partner in executing this initiative within the Sarikei Division.
“I also hope that all components of the initiative’s implementation, including purchasing goods, monitoring goods receipt, and the income progress of the recipients, can be carried out smoothly and effectively through collaboration with the Sarikei Branch of the Melanau Association throughout the year,” she added.
Additionally, 16 recipients from Sarikei received the Sarawak Women Household Heads Assistance (KIRWaS), a one-off cash aid of RM500, to support income generation.
The event was also attended by the Ministry’s Acting Permanent Secretary Nur Alina Abdullah @ Colliner Gohe, the Director of the Sarawak Women and Family Department Salmah Jobeli, the Chairman of the Melanau Association Sarikei Abdul Hamid @ Abdul Razak Siong, and Temenggung Awang Ibrahim Awangku Hosain.
