KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP) is spending almost RM3 billion to implement various specific programmes to empower Bumiputera entrepreneurs from 2023 to 2025.
Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Steven Sim said the effectiveness of the spending was measured through several outcome indicators, including an increase in sales of at least 20 percent among participants and 150 companies successfully increasing their business size.
“Regarding the government’s return on investment , the ministry measures the effectiveness of empowerment programs and overall spending from various outcome indicators or tangible results for participants,” he said.
Steven said this when answering a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (PH-Sekijang) regarding the allocation spent by KUSKOP for the Bumiputera empowerment programme and the return to the government measured through job creation during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
According to him, for the first five months of this year, the ministry has approved financing worth RM5 billion which has benefited almost 180,000 entrepreneurs of various races and business categories nationwide.
He said for the period 2025 to May 2026, specific programmes for Bumiputera entrepreneurs through agencies under KUSKOP have approved financing totaling RM1.407 billion to more than 53,000 Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
“Of that total, 11,469 Bumiputera youth received benefits with an allocation of more than RM251 million,” he said.
Steven said the ministry also implemented elements of halal industry development through various programs through its agencies to help entrepreneurs obtain halal certification to expand the market.
Regarding Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin’s (PN-Masjid Tanah) proposal regarding a national database system or single window mechanism for coordinating assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS), Steven said KUSKOP had appointed SME Corp Malaysia as the coordinating agency.
“SME Corp is being used as a one-stop centre to coordinate in terms of financing, grants, funds and other support systems. SME Corp also plays a role in facilitating the provision of information, channeling applicants and PMKS to the appropriate agencies,” he said.
Steven said KUSKOP was also implementing an initiative to develop a website or portal as a one-stop centre to list various types of support provided by more than 60 government agencies.
— BERNAMA
