KUALA LUMPUR: Social enterprises have a huge potential to contribute towards changing the country into a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable nation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said with the support and help from the government, social enterprises have gone towards achieving several accomplishments subsequently contributing to the national socio-economic development agenda.
He cited two examples of how social enterprises brought about transformative societal and economic improvements.
"For example, (the) Helping Hands Penan Shop has helped to empower women from the Penan community in which they can generate income by producing handicraft.
"MyMedikal Healthcare provides services to less fortunate groups who cannot get access to health services," he said.
Ismail Sabri said this in his speech at the launching of the Malaysia Social Entrepreneurship Blueprint 2030 (SEMy2030) here today. Present was Entrepreneur Development. and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar.
Realising the potential and the important role played by social enterprises in the country's socio-economic development, Ismail Sabri said the government planned the SEMy2030.
Comprising five enablers, five core strategics, 20 other strategies and 45 initiatives, he said the SEMy2030 is aimed at empowering social entrepreneurs by helping them in facing future challenges.
"Formulated by the ministry, SEMy2030 outlined a new direction for Malaysia on social entrepreneurship development.
Themed "Mainstreaming Social Entrepreneurship, Normalising Social Impact" the implementation of the blueprint is divided into two phases.
Phase One, from 2021 until 2025, will focus on strengthening the social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Implementation of the second phase of the blueprint is expected to begin from 2026 until 2030, that will focus on mainstreaming social entrepreneurs.
Among the five targets outlined include the need to increase the number of social entrepreneurs from 400 currently to 5,000 and 10,000 by the year 2025 and 2030, respectively.
This will subsequently help to create 95,000 employment opportunities by the year 2030.
Other targets set under the blueprint included increasing the sector's turnover from RM100 million to RM1.3 billion in 2025 and RM2.6 billion in 2030.
"I hope social enterprises could be recognised as a major contributor towards developing Malaysia into a sustainable, inclusive and sustainable nation by the year 2030.
"Therefore, I hope all stakeholders, be it in the public and private sectors, investors and corporate bodies to give support, cooperation and commitment towards such an effort.
"I also hope younger generation, including graduates, can also take part by sharing ideas, pool their resources and come together to strengthen social entrepreneurship in the country."