RM18.7m Tekun funding for 819 Telupid entrepreneurs
Published on: Saturday, January 06, 2024
Ewon said out of the number, 249 entrepreneurs received funding totalling RM12,617,000 from April to December last year.
Kota Kinabalu: Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said Tekun Nasional Telupid branch helped some 819 entrepreneurs in the district involving funding totalling RM18,733,819.73 from January 2002 to December 2023.
“This is a large amount and I am confident it has helped to further improve the economy of the entrepreneurs and stimulate economic activities in the district,” he said.
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He said this when met after holding a meeting with Tekun entrepreneurs around Telupid town, Friday.
Also present were State Tekun Manager Hemin Osumping, Tekun National Trust Board Member Rowindy Lawrence, Tekun Telupid Branch Acting Manager Rozita Tiara Marium and community leaders.
Ewon said out of the number, 249 entrepreneurs received funding totalling RM12,617,000 from April to December last year.
On the meeting, he said various suggestions were received, including the need for additional staff at the Tekun Telupid office which only has two now, namely a manager and an assistant officer.
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“I hope this (increase in staff) will provide better services to entrepreneurs in the district,” he said.
Asked about a new programme that will be implemented by his Ministry this year, Ewon said he will launch the Tourism Cooperative Stimulus Package and “Tamu Desa” Project.
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“I am confident we can generate the interest of the people in cooperatives, especially those involved in tourism activities, with additional initiatives that will be implemented this year.
“Apart from that, we will also start the construction of village stalls under the Tamu Desa Project, of which RM20 million has been allocated under the 2024 Budget specifically for Sabah and Sarawak.
“I believe these new initiatives will benefit cooperatives involved in the tourism sector across the country and also entrepreneurs as a whole,” he said.
Regarding the performance of cooperatives last year, Ewon said for the first time, the registration of cooperatives across the country almost doubled compared to previous years.
“Last year, 1,001 new cooperatives were registered. This is the highest record of cooperative registration we have ever achieved compared to previously which averaged around 600 every year.
“This almost two-fold increase is the result of the Ministry’s efforts through the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) to implement the ‘Merakyakan Koperasi’ Programme throughout the country,” he said.
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