TAWAU: Applications to establish Tamu Desa in Sabah and Sarawak have reached RM40 million, surpassing the Government’s RM10 million allocation for this year, said Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
In this regard, he said the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (Kuskop) would hold a meeting to evaluate the applications submitted.
“The Tamu Desa that have been established have brought significant benefits to the people of Sabah and Sarawak. That is why many stall owners in rural areas and small towns have also submitted applications to set up Tamu Desa.
“Given the large number of requests, I will discuss with the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) how we can process these applications in stages each year.
“I am confident that the Government will continue to implement this programme, particularly under the 13th Malaysia Plan, as it can further stimulate the local economy,” he told reporters after officiating the Tamu Desa in Kampung Piuludan, Andrassy, near here.
Ewon said Tamu Desa was part of an initiative under the Domestic Look East Policy, implemented by the Madani Government through Kuskop.
He said the Tamu Desa at Kampung Piuludan, now operating every Saturday, was the 98th Tamu Desa established in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Last year, 49 Tamu Desa were established in Sabah and Sarawak with an allocation of RM19 million,” he added.
Ewon said the implementation of the Tamu Desa project in Sabah and Sarawak was part of the Government’s efforts through Kuskop, which placed additional focus on the two states.
