PUTRAJAYA, The Karnival Usahawan Desa (Village Entrepreneurs Carnival) KUD@Putrajaya 2023 serves as the best platform for rural entrepreneurs to receive guidance and advisory services to enhance productivity and develop their businesses, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said hat the carnival, which runs for five days starting last Wednesday at Anjung Floria here, is participated by various ministries and agencies providing entrepreneurship empowerment programmes and financial assistance to rural entrepreneurs.
Among the agencies under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) involved in the carnival are Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), the Community Development Department (Kemas), Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda), and the Southeast Johor Development Authority (Kejora), he said.
“The organisation of KUD@Putrajaya 2023 will have a positive impact on the products of local entrepreneurs, not only in terms of sales volume but, more importantly, it can provide a positive perception that the quality of local products, especially those of rural entrepreneurs, is comparable to products imported from abroad,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid’s speech text was read out by Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang at the Opening Ceremony of KUD@Putrajaya 2023 here today, which was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KUD@Putrajaya 2023, now in its ninth edition, is attended by over 800 rural entrepreneurs, with a target of one million visitors and transactions amounting to RM10 million in cash and business matching.
To achieve the government’s desire to instill a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Ahmad Zahid said several grants were provided, including RM2.83 million through the Business Enrichment, Standardisation, and Transformation (BEST) programme, RM2.78 million through the Rural Entrepreneurship Support Programme (SPKLB), and RM162 million through the MARA Professional Financing Scheme (ProSPEC).
“The formation of a Malaysian society with an entrepreneurial mindset is fundamental in making Malaysia an entrepreneurial country and creating job opportunities for local citizens,” he said.
Expressing appreciation for the response from visitors to the carnival since its first day, Ahmad Zahid said the ministry is providing free sales incentive coupons to attendees.
With a total value of RM200,000, he said these coupons can be used by visitors to liven up the sales of entrepreneurs participating in the KUD@Putrajaya Programme.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
