THE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development has implemented a number of entrepreneurship programmes to encourage young people to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Its Deputy Minister, Dr Ripin Lamat, stated that among the initiatives implemented are youth-specific courses, seminars, mentorship, co-working space, business incorporation support and market access.
Ripin also stated that a design thinking programme and entrepreneurship event with schools, public and private institutions of higher learning will be organised to inspire youth and develop more startup ideas and solutions, as well as various accelerator programmes to accelerate the growth of startups and social enterprises.
“Capacity building programme and sharing sessions with industry experts to equip the youth with the knowledge skills and network to succeed especially related to the digital economy will also be held.
“Beside Youth Entrepreneur Setup (YES) programme, the ministry has organised financing a joint venture programme with Bank Rakyat, Jom Start Business, Rombak Bundle, Jom Jadi Taukey, Bengkel Membuat Kek Lapis Premium, Pocket Talk Usahawan, Belia Kitchen and Entrepreneur and Belia Burgerpreneur Programme recently.
He added that the ministry also planned to establish a Mysed youth centre in each dewan suarah, which will provide a business and entrepreneurship information platform in the specific sector towards the digital economy, as well as financial assistance in the form of grants and loans for the youth to start their own businesses.
He disclosed that a total of 1,888 youths comprising 365 from Miri, Sibu (500), Bintulu (444), Limbang (344), and Sri Aman (235) had participated in the Youth Entrepreneur Setup (YES) programme throughout Sarawak.
“The programme has benefited the youth in terms of motivating them to venture into entrepreneurship and providing them with engagement sessions with relevant agencies such as district office, Local Authority and Sarawak Economy Development Corporation.”
