Published on: Saturday, December 11, 2004 |
Kota Kinabalu: The newly-formed Committee on the Development of Women Entrepreneurs within the ambit of the Ministry of Industrial Development unanimously agreed to create a women entrepreneur development fund at its inaugural meeting on Thursday.
The committee, chaired by Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, Jainab Datuk Ahmad, also reached a consensus that allocations or grants for the fund from both the Federal and State governments are to be channelled to the Ministry.
"The fund will be utilised to train potential women entrepreneurs and provide loans to deserving applicants. We will enlist the help of relevant authorities to conduct the training programme," she said.
Representatives of Federal and State departments and agencies as well as women non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who were present, wanted Jainab to be the leader in spearheading and co-ordinating efforts to boost women's participation in entrepreneurial activities.
"We, on our part, will provide input and the necessary assistance," they assured. Also present were the Ministry's Principal Assistant Secretary, Irene Joibi, and Assistant Secretary, Romanus Bosi.
Jainab, who is Karambunai Assemblywoman, lamented that some banks and financial institutions are not women-friendly and reject loan applications from women entrepreneurs.
"That is why many prospective borrowers fear to step into the bank. We don't expect rural women to be dressed in suits to give a good impression when they approach the bank for a loan."
To set the ball rolling, she would approach the State Government to expedite converting the existing State-Federal Joint Development Scheme for soft loans into a revolving State Fund specifically for women entrepreneurs.
The committee was told that the State Government has approved a sum of RM2.2 million as its contribution to the joint scheme designed to assist middle-class Bumiputera entrepreneurs in 10 industries related to services, tourism, agriculture and small and medium-level manufacturing, among others.
According to Sedcovest Holdings Sdn Bhd General Manager, Ramley Alan, soft loans have been released to five applicants while five other successful applicants are awaiting the funds. Applications of 20 new applicants have yet to be processed. "Presently, our target is to approve five applications every year."
Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM) Director, Juif Adzim, concurred with chairperson of the KDCA Women in Development Bureau, Evelyn Gobile, that the women entrepreneur development fund must be revolving in nature to avert depletion.
Meanwhile, Jainab said the committee was formed in line with the State Government's Halatuju (direction) with emphasis on women entrepreneurship in accordance with the wish of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
She has been assigned to take charge of five portfolios - women entrepreneurship, boosting the participation of women in the industrial sector, BIMP-EAGA and role of supporting agencies such as Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (Smidec) and Ministry of International Trade an Industry (Miti) Sabah.
"Presently, we are not focused and co-ordinated when it comes to the question of promoting women's participation in entrepreneurship.
There are too many bodies championing the cause of entrepreneurs but tangible results are not visible," she said.
The three-hour brainstorming session discussed the committee's terms of reference and scope of work which encompasses sourcing for funds from the more than RM2 billion allocation for Bumiputera entrepreneur development in the country as announced by the Prime Minister when unveiling the 2005 National Budget.
Jainab defined the terms of reference as:
* To improve the economic status of women
* To uplift and accelerate the level of women's participation in entrepeneurship
* To co-ordinate, facilitate and assist in women's development programmes in the field of entrepreneurship
Susilo Sumarto, who represented the State Economic Planning Unit (Upen), suggested that the scope of work covers a Five-Year Development Plan for women entrepreneurs, and not specifically for the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
The Assistant Minister said she would pursue the proposed establishment of Smidec Sabah Branch.
"It is not practical for Sabah entrepreneurs to travel to Sarawak to seek soft loans from Smidec Sarawak Branch which is said to cover Sabah as well."
She also pleaded with Matrade Director, Azahar Mohamed, and Miti Director, Mohd Salehim Ibrahim, to be flexible and sensitive to Sabah's needs.
In response, Sirim Bhd Regional Manager (Sabah and Labuan), Khairan Untoh, said Sabah Members of Parliament (MPs) should be daring enough to highlight issues in Parliament pertaining to Sabah's needs and problems affecting entrepreneurs.
