Latest news with #EwonBenedick
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Over 100,000 graduates join PROTÉGÉ entrepreneurship programme in Malaysia
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 103,183 undergraduates and graduates have participated in entrepreneurship and employability programmes under the Professional Training and Education for Growing Entrepreneurs (PROTÉGÉ) initiative since its launch under the 12th Malaysia Plan. Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick highlighted PROTÉGÉ as a key strategy to equip youth, particularly in Sabah, with skills for job market readiness and self-employment. 'This programme aims to produce graduates who are competitive and prepared to embrace entrepreneurship as a career,' he said during the closing ceremony of the PROTÉGÉ Carnival 2025 at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah Branch. According to a PROTÉGÉ Impact Study from 2021 to 2023, 55.2 per cent of 599 respondents gained access to digital marketing, financing, and business guidance, leading to new job opportunities. Ewon urged graduates to shift from job-seeking to job creation by considering entrepreneurship. He also noted KUSKOP's collaboration with TVET institutions and industries to integrate entrepreneurship modules into training programmes. The carnival is part of a four-event series in 2025 to empower Sabah's youth in entrepreneurship. Participating institutions included UiTM, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, IKBN Kinarut, Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, and North Borneo University College.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
103,183 Undergraduates, Graduates Took Part In PROTEGE Programme
KOTA KINABALU, June 29 (Bernama) -- A total of 103,183 undergraduates and graduates have participated in various entrepreneurship and marketability programmes under the Professional Training and Education for Growing Entrepreneurs (PROTÉGÉ) initiative since it was introduced under the 12th Malaysia Plan. Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said PROTÉGÉ was among his ministry's strategic initiatives to empower youth and graduates, particularly in Sabah, to better prepare for the job market and create their own economic opportunities. 'This programme is designed to produce graduates who are not only competitive but also ready to pursue entrepreneurship as their main career,' he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development's (KUSKOP) Borneo Zone (Sabah) PROTÉGÉ Carnival 2025 at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah Branch here today.
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
MSMEs risk global supply chain exclusion without ESG
Published on: Sunday, June 29, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 29, 2025 Text Size: Ewon listening to a participant at one of the booths. Kota Kinabalu: Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia must adopt environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices or risk being excluded from global supply chains, said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. He said large corporations, including government-linked companies and multinationals, are increasingly making ESG compliance a key criterion in procurement and investment decisions. 'ESG is not just a trend, it is the future. It's not solely about protecting the environment, but also about responsible business conduct towards workers and society, along with transparent and ethical governance. 'Although ESG compliance is not yet mandatory, it is becoming increasingly urgent, particularly across both domestic and international supply chains,' he said. Ewon was speaking at the opening of the ESG Awareness Seminar for MSMEs in Kota Kinabalu, Saturday. Also in attendance were Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor, SME Corp Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, and SME Corp Malaysia chief executive officer Rizal Nainy. Ewon said the seminar was timely in strengthening MSMEs' understanding of ESG and their readiness to implement it in day-to-day operations. He said the initiative also reflects the ministry's ongoing commitment, through its agencies, to foster ESG awareness and adoption among MSMEs. 'This is particularly important to enable MSMEs to integrate into the supply chains of GLCs and multinational firms, as well as to access international markets where ESG practices are increasingly a basic requirement,' he said. Ewon added that SME Corp Malaysia introduced ESG Guidelines for MSMEs early last year as part of efforts to raise awareness and build capacity among local entrepreneurs. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
7 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.
Barnama
22-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
SPUT Disburses RM7.5 Mln To 1,809 Micro-Entrepreneurs In Sabah
PENAMPANG, June 22 (Bernama) -- A total of RM7.5 million has been channelled to 1,809 micro-entrepreneurs, mainly hawkers and small traders operating in markets and Tamu, across Sabah under the Tamu Entrepreneur Financing Scheme (SPUT) since its launch in 2023. Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the scheme reflects the commitment of The National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional) to empower the people's economy through micro-financing support, particularly for rural communities and small business owners in need of capital to grow. He was speaking at the opening of the Tekun MADANI Mini Carnival at Tamu Desa Inobong here today.
