Nine KUSKOP Initiatives Reflect MADANI Govt's Commitment To Empower Indian Community
Deputy Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the initiatives, which cover financing, capacity building, training, cooperative empowerment and community engagement, reflect the MADANI Government's commitment to inclusive and equitable economic development.
'For this year up to June, over RM356 million has been allocated through various financing and entrepreneurship development programmes, benefiting nearly 9,000 Indian entrepreneurs nationwide,' he said in a Facebook post today.
Among the initiatives introduced are the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI), SPUMI Goes Big, the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) programme, and Bank Rakyat Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i (BRIEF-i).
Other initiatives include Vanigham Financing for Indian Entrepreneurs, Vanakam MADANI, the Business Accelerator Programme for Indian Small Business (i-BAP), the Empowering Indian Entrepreneur (EIP 2024) programme, the Indian Community Cooperative Conference (PKKI 2024), and financial assistance for Indian houses of worship.
Ramanan said the implementation of these initiatives demonstrates the government's responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of the people, particularly the Indian community.
'These are not just figures on paper, but a testament to the government's boldness and commitment to ensuring the Indian community becomes part of the national development mainstream.
'We want to see more Indian entrepreneurs succeed, become job creators and contribute to the country's economic growth. Empowering the community is not rhetoric, it is ongoing work with measurable outcomes,' he said.
He added that KUSKOP is currently evaluating several new initiatives, which are expected to be launched soon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 minutes ago
- The Star
Washington trade talks with India have stalled, sources say
US-India trade talks appear to have stalled, according to two sources familiar with the matter, as both sides remain unwilling to compromise on opening India's agriculture and dairy markets to US products. Before US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on imports from the country, the Indian side was expected to visit. However, Indian negotiators will not be coming to Washington in mid-August as a planned follow-up to their previous meeting about two weeks ago, according to one person familiar with the issue. A scheduled trip by the US Trade Representative Jameison Greer to New Delhi later in the month also appears unlikely if the two sides do not reach a consensus on market access. The apparent setback follows five rounds of negotiations between April and July after Trump threatened India with 26 per cent so-called reciprocal tariffs on April 2. Adopting a harsh tone on India in a social media post on Thursday, Trump called the Indian economy 'dead', saying, 'we have done very little business' with the South Asian country because of 'too high' tariffs. 'I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,' he wrote, referring to India's import of Russian oil and defence equipment. On Wednesday, he threatened a 'penalty' on India for buying Russian oil and defence equipment without making it clear what that penalty could be. India's agricultural sector supports the livelihoods of roughly 42 per cent of the country's population, making Trump's demand for access politically risky for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ratcheting up tension between Washington and the world's most populous country. One of the sources said the mood in New Delhi felt 'bitter', while both sources said the US negotiators have remained firm in demanding a 'complete' opening of the Indian market, an approach India has rejected to protect its domestic industries and farmers. Last week, another person familiar with the matter had described the talks as a 'total mess' behind the scenes, adding that agriculture was a political no-go zone for Modi's government. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday told CNBC that 'the whole trade team has been frustrated' with India, saying the country has not been a 'great global actor'. 'India's red lines on agriculture and dairy are probably inviolable,' according to Rick Rossow, chair in US-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. If the US demands that these areas be opened as part of any deal, he said, 'we may never conclude an agreement'. According to Rossow, Greer will only make the trip to New Delhi 'if there is a realistic chance of resolving any pending issues in the deal". 'If it looks like an empty trip – circling the drain on the last issues without hope of a breakthrough – the visit might be cancelled,' he said. One source said India wants its recent free trade agreement with Britain, which opened British markets to Indian agricultural and textile products, among others, to serve as a model for a deal with the US. Meanwhile, the US side views its recent trade agreement with South Korea, which Trump claimed opened Korean agricultural markets to American goods, as the kind of access it expects from New Delhi. Another source familiar with the thinking on the US side said that Trump has also been keen on some headline-worthy announcements that include big investments or significant energy and defense purchases. Rossow said he suspects that a Phase 1 deal will 'not vary dramatically from the other deals India has signed.' He added that India seemed 'willing to commit to some big announcements in terms of investment and government-directed purchases in areas like hydrocarbons.' 'With President Trump's characterisation of Prime Minister Modi as the 'tariff king' paired with the enormous size of the Indian market, the deal itself will be big news – if and when it's concluded,' Rossow said. India's membership in Brics, a bloc of emerging Global South economies, and Trump's closeness with Pakistan have also become irritants in the US-India relationship. Hours after announcing new tariffs on India, the US president said his team had reached a deal with Islamabad and criticised New Delhi's active role in Brics. 'Brics, which is basically a group of countries that are anti-the United States, and India is a member of that if you can believe it ... It is an attack on the dollar and we are not going to let anybody attack the dollar. So it's partially Brics and it's partially trade,' Trump told reporters on Wednesday. On the other hand, the deal with Pakistan, according to Trump, allows the two countries to 'work together on developing their massive oil reserves'. As per an executive order signed by Trump on Thursday, a 19 per cent tariff will be imposed on imports from Pakistan. The US is one of Pakistan's top export destinations. India's arch-rival sold over US$5 billion worth of goods to the US last year and imported about US$2.1 billion. In June, Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met with Trump at the White House. He offered Pakistan's support in such sectors as crypto and critical minerals. 'India is still an important partner for the United States and vice versa; a success on the trade talks would have been a strategic win, especially under the complex regional circumstances, but all is not lost yet,' according to Farwa Aamer, director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute. New Delhi is 'cautious but committed', she said. 'As deals come through with its neighbours and competitors, it may just provide it enough impetus to make bold moves and accelerate progress on negotiations on a more comprehensive deal while weathering the temporary storm,' she said. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Malay Mail
6 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Johor eyes Singapore's hawker model to boost local market standards
JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 2 — Johor is looking to adopt elements of Singapore's thriving hawker centre and public market management model to enhance quality, cleanliness and overall business environment at similar facilities across the state. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the initiative was inspired by a recent working visit with Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi to Geylang Serai Hawker Centre, one of Singapore's best-known food and market hubs. 'The centre not only draws tourists but also serves as a thriving community economic zone, blending modern design, high hygiene standards and strict health regulations while preserving cultural heritage,' he said in a statement today. Mohd Jafni said Johor intends to apply the model's key features, such structured stall planning, regulated licensing, scheduled inspections and inclusive community spaces, in areas such as Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang, Kulai, Pengerang and Pontian. He also highlighted Singapore's Community Development Council (CDC) Vouchers, digital subsidies of up to SGD500 per household, usable at registered local vendors and markets, excluding supermarkets and major franchises, to support small traders directly and ease the cost of living. All these best practices will be considered under the Maju Johor agenda to reform local governance and strengthen hawker and market management, he said. — Bernama
Borneo Post
36 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
13MP: Pan Borneo, SSLR, Trans Borneo Highway completion top priority, says Works Minister
In a statement today, Nanta says this aligns with the federal government's push for equitable development across all regions. – Bernama photo KUCHING (Aug 2): The Works Ministry is prioritising the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway, Sarawak–Sabah Link Road (SSLR), and Trans Borneo Highway as key infrastructure projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), assures Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. In a statement today, Nanta said this aligns with the federal government's push for equitable development across all regions. 'The ministry is committed to completing the Pan Borneo Highway Project in Sabah and Sarawak within the 13MP period, in addition to continuing the construction of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) and the Trans Borneo Highway as the main drivers of Borneo integration,' he said in response to the 13MP tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Parliament on July 31. The SSLR will provide a direct land connection between Sarawak and Sabah without passing through Brunei, while the Trans Borneo Highway will link Malaysia to Kalimantan, boosting cross-border trade and tourism. Nanta also revealed plans to expand rural road networks nationwide, targeting 2,800km of roads by 2030 – up from 2,436km in 2024. These include road upgrades in Felda and Felcra settlements, along with improvements in drainage, utilities, and other rural infrastructure. In Peninsular Malaysia, the ministry will continue upgrading the North–South Expressway (PLUS), including widening sections from Juru to Sungai Dua in Penang, and from Senai Utara to Machap in Johor, to support the Northern and Southern Corridors. Nanta added that completing the Lingkaran Tengah Utama (LTU) from Bentong to Kuala Krai remains a priority to drive development in the East Coast. To strengthen border connectivity, the ministry will upgrade the Rantau Panjang–Sungai Golok Bridge linking Kelantan and Thailand, and the Kalabakan–Simanggaris route connecting Sabah with Indonesia, he added. Nanta said the Works Ministry is embracing modern construction technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to boost project efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Road safety will also be enhanced through smart infrastructure solutions, he said, including traffic lights, street lighting, and speed monitoring systems. In line with Malaysia's target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Nanta said his ministry will promote the use of eco-friendly building materials and low-carbon infrastructure solutions. 'The 13MP is not just about building roads, bridges and buildings. It is actually building the people's hope and confidence in the country's future. 'This is infrastructure for all that is fair, equitable and brings long-term benefits to all Malaysians, both in urban and rural areas,' he said. alexander nanta linggi Pan Borneo SSLR trans borneo highway
