KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has launched the Sabah New Deal package to revive the economy by allocating RM20 million for micro and cottage industries.
State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam said the Covid-19 pandemic has created an economic crisis and prompted the state government to inject more assistance for the business community.
"My ministry has implemented several assistance packages in the form of RM1,000 cash to be disbursed to eligible entrepreneurs.
"As of today, 15,130 people in the micro and cottage industries, whose annual sales are less than RM50,000, have benefited from the package," he said at the state assembly sitting.
Joachim, who is also deputy chief minister, was responding to a question from Phoong Jin Zhe (DAP-Luyang) on government assistance and initiatives for small to medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs.
He said, for SMEs, RM18 million was allocated between 2017 and 2020 to assist 1,855 entrepreneurs to be more competitive and sustainable.
The ministry, he added, has also been working with Sirim by giving RM250,000 each for chosen entrepreneurs for technology and innovation upgrades to produce better products.
This year, 37 companies have also received RM50,000 each to improve their product packaging.
"These initiatives have helped the sector in terms of increasing output capacity, improving quality and quantity as well as producing more entrepreneurs.
"My ministry has also taken measures to work with associations that are involved in SME development via smart-partnership approach which includes signing memorandum of understanding with Persatuan Usahawan Maju to produce 100 entrepreneurs via Sabah Entrepreneur Creation (SEC) programme," said Joachim.
As for marketing their products, the ministry has sought partnership with Bataras hypermarkets in Sabah to include products from 98 entrepreneurs while at the national level, Malaysia Wholesalers Association has agreed to allow Sabah entrepreneurs to market theirs at GM KLang Wholesale City, Selangor for free next year, he said.
Apart from that, the ministry has also provided training including online marketing and exposing them on steps to penetrate the international market.