Latest news with #EntrepreneurDevelopmentandCooperatives
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
MADANI JMKU Programmes Record Nearly RM10 Million In Sales Since 2022
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- More than 150 series of the MADANI Cooperative and Entrepreneur Sales Programme (JMKU), held at 128 locations nationwide since 2022, have generated nearly RM10 million in sales. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the initiative, organised with Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM), supports the MADANI economic framework's focus on improving people's well-being. He added that the Vendor Capacity and Capability Development Programme (PPKV) recorded total sales of RM1.23 billion through the participation of 108 vendors. 'Last year alone, KUSKOP implemented 204 programmes that benefited close to 800,000 entrepreneurs, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, social enterprises, hawkers, and petty traders,' he said at the launch of SME Bank's Budget 2025 Initiative, attended by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Ewon also highlighted that KUSKOP had upgraded or built 98 Tamu Desa premises in Sabah and Sarawak, with a total allocation of RM19 million between last year and early this year. He reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to driving entrepreneurship and cooperative development in line with the MADANI Economic Framework and the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030. On the SME Bank-led Budget 2025 Initiative, Ewon said it underlines the vital role of development financial institutions in supporting national efforts to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of local entrepreneurs. 'The launch reflects the government's strong intent to ensure every ringgit under Budget 2025 delivers tangible benefits, especially to the entrepreneurial community,' he said. He expressed confidence that the initiative would enable more MSMEs to expand their capacity, explore new markets, and adapt to current demands, including digitalisation, sustainability, and exports.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
SME Bank integration yields synergies, unveils RM211mil initiatives for MSMEs
KUALA LUMPUR: The integration of Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) with two other entities has proven to be a strategic success, fostering strong synergies and enhancing the bank's capacity to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. "The integration has been very positive so far. Starting from the legal processes, we are now developing the business framework. The synergy among the three entities is evident," said SME Bank acting group president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim. Although it is still too early to quantify specific cost savings, he noted that tangible benefits from resource sharing are expected to emerge by 2026. For now, each entity will continue operating under its own budget until the end of 2028. In tandem with the integration efforts, SME Bank has launched RM211 million worth of new strategic programmes aligned with the government's MADANI economic framework. These initiatives aim to boost the inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability of Malaysia's MSME ecosystem. The launch was officiated by Finance Minister II, Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, alongside Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. Targeting high-impact areas such as technology, tourism, halal industries, and ESG-focused businesses, the programmes also place strong emphasis on empowering underserved communities, particularly B40 and Asnaf entrepreneurs, to ensure broader participation in economic development. These initiatives represent a significant step in revitalising the MSME sector, said Hardee, adding that the programmes form part of SME Bank's RM1 billion strategic allocation under the upcoming National Budget 2025. Key programmes include MySMELady 2.0, which offers up to RM3 million financing to support women entrepreneurs in expanding operations, boosting productivity, and enhancing market competitiveness; Umbrella Ecosystem Financing, offering up to RM1 million in funding to assist Bumiputera MSMEs and startups; and Dana Kelestarian Alam, allocating up to RM5 million in green financing for MSMEs involved in renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, and sustainable transportation projects. Maju Usahawan Madani aims to support 3,000 entrepreneurs with skills for sustainable growth, while SME Bank iTEKAD ISHRAF targets to increase sales by at least 10 per cent for 400 B40 and Asnaf entrepreneurs through training and resources. As of May 2025, SME Bank has already approved RM2 billion in financing and is on track to meet its RM3 billion financing target for the year, Hardee said. Beyond the new programmes, SME Bank continues to roll out a range of existing financing solutions such as the SME Technology Transformation Fund, HalalBiz Financing, and the Business Accelerator Programme under RMK-12.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
13MP will give more leeway to surging cooperative movement
PUTRAJAYA: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which will be finalised next week, is expected to provide more space and opportunities for the cooperative movement to grow and continue to contribute significantly to the country's economic development. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said his ministry had submitted several proposed agendas and specific initiatives for the cooperative sector for the five-year plan, which covers the years 2026 to 2030. 'I am confident that this will be part of the country's 13MP agenda which will be finalised by the Cabinet next week,' he said after officiating the 2025 National Cooperative Month (BKK 2025) here today. Also present were Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP) secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Malaysian Cooperatives Commission (SKM) chairman Lt Gen (Rtd) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal and Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah. Commenting on the main agenda of 13MP In developing the cooperative sector further, Ewon said the ministry was given a target to generate RM100 billion in revenue from the cooperative movement. 'At the initial briefing of the Cabinet, we were informed about a big agenda in the 13MP to strengthen cooperatives further. Hopefully, the cooperative movement will not only be able to meet this revenue we are targeting, but will also be able to increase its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP),' he said. Yesterday, government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the Minister of Communications, announced that 13MP under the MADANI Government is to be tabled in Parliament on July 28. Commenting on the performance of the cooperative sector so far, Ewon announced that the value of cooperatives' turnover in 2024 would reach RM68.18 billion, exceeding the target set in the Malaysian Cooperative Policy (DAKOM) 2030. 'Our target by 2030 is RM100 billion. However, I challenge that the cooperative movement not to be judged solely by revenue (the amount of turnover), but rather by its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP),' he said. In the past two years, he said that more than 1,000 new cooperatives have been registered each year, indicating a positive response among Malaysians toward the movement. He attributed this growth to the efforts of various parties including the Malaysian Cooperative Institute (IKMa) as well as the collaboration of Angkasa in promoting cooperatives as a lifestyle for Malaysians. Ewon also announced that the closing ceremony for National Cooperative Day celebration will be held on July 27, 2025 at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh, Melaka.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Call to teach four more Sabah ethnic languages in schools gains traction
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick speaks at the Odou do Kaamatan celebration in Kg Mahandoi, Penampang. KOTA KINABALU: A proposal to expand the teaching of the Kadazandusun language in schools to include four other major ethnic languages in Sabah has been submitted to the Federal Government. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the proposal came following engagements with various ethnic associations and teachers who called for broader representation of Sabah's linguistic diversity in schools. "Currently, Kadazandusun taught in schools is based solely on the Bunduliwan dialect, as per the agreement between the Kadazandusun Cultural Association and the United Sabah Dusun Association. "After I joined the Federal Cabinet, I received requests from ethnic associations and Kadazandusun language teachers in Penampang, Tuaran, Kuala Penyu and Tenom. I later led a Sabah delegation to meet Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek last year,' he said. Ewon, who is also United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president, said the delegation proposed that four additional ethnic languages — Tatana in Kuala Penyu, Kadazan Tangaa in Penampang, Murut Timugon in Tenom, and Dusun Lotud in Tuaran — be included in the school curriculum. 'YB Fadhlina agreed to the idea, and a special committee under the Education Ministry has since been formed to study the proposal. I will continue to follow through to make this a reality,' he said. Ewon made the remarks yesterday during the Odou do Kaamatan celebration in Kg Mahandoi, hosted by Upko Beaufort and attended by the Kuala Penyu community living and working in Kota Kinabalu. He said his ministry had channelled special allocations to four ethnic language associations — Tatana, Murut Timugon, Lotud Tuaran, and Kadazan Penampang — to support the development of curriculum modules, workbooks, and textbooks. Ewon stressed that it was his responsibility to be part of the effort to empower ethnic languages in schools, and that was why he had ensured the necessary funding was provided last year to kickstart the development of teaching materials. He also suggested that the teaching of these languages could begin as pilot programmes in selected schools within the relevant districts. In the case of Kuala Penyu, he said it would be more appropriate to teach the Tatana language instead of the Bunduliwan dialect, as most parents and teachers in the district belong to the Tatana community. Ewon said Sabah could learn from Sarawak's model, where Bahasa Iban is already taught in schools and Bidayuh was recently introduced as a pilot programme. "A delegation from Sabah has even visited schools in Sarawak to observe how Bidayuh is being taught as an addition to Iban,' he said. He also stressed the importance of preserving cultural celebrations like Kaamatan, which he said has become a symbol of unity not only among the Momogun community but across ethnic and religious lines, even abroad.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Proposal submitted to expand Kadazandusun language subject to four other ethnic languages
PENAMPANG: A proposal to expand the teaching of the Kadazandusun language subject in schools to include four other ethnic languages in Sabah has been submitted to the Federal Government for consideration, said Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick. He said the four major ethnic languages proposed are the Tatana language in Kuala Penyu, Kadazan Tangaa in Penampang, Murut Timugon in Tenom and Dusun Lotud in Tuaran. The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) president said he, along with a delegation from Sabah, had held discussions with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and the Ministry of Education delegation last year. 'Yang Berhormat Fadhlina subsequently agreed for a special committee under the Ministry of Education to be established to study this proposal. I will continue to follow up on all efforts to realise this initiative. 'Up to now, the Kadazandusun language subject in schools has been based solely on the Bunduliwan Dusun dialect,' he said in a statement after officiating the Odou do Kaamatan celebration at Kampung Mahandoi here today. Ewon said efforts to strengthen the ethnic language curriculum are ongoing initiatives involving various parties including the Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF), the Momogun National Congress (MNC), and the Sabah Ethnic Languages Association. He said his ministry is also supporting the effort through the allocation of special funding to four ethnic language associations for the development of modules, workbooks and textbooks. 'The teaching of these four Sabah ethnic languages can be implemented on a pilot basis in selected schools. For example, in Kuala Penyu, teaching the Tatana language would be more appropriate compared to using the Bunduliwan dialect,' he said. According to Ewon, Sabah could emulate the implementation of ethnic language education in government schools in Sarawak, which has piloted the teaching of the Iban and Bidayuh languages. 'Efforts in this direction are underway. A delegation from Sabah has also visited schools in Sarawak to observe first-hand the implementation of Bidayuh language teaching, in addition to the Iban language,' he said.
