‘Bumiputera entrepreneurs must stand on their own feet’

KAPIT: Bumiputera entrepreneurs must strive to compete in the open market instead of relying solely on the government for projects.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said it was not wise to depend on the government as competition for its projects was stiff.
“Always strive to come out with new opportunities, for example, in the homestay or agro-based industry,” he said after officiating at Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) Kapit’s triennial general meeting (TGM) here yesterday.
“In business, one must be daring and be proactive. There is no shortcut to success and you can’t run away from competition. For those who made it, there is no limit to what they can achieve.”

Nanta told those present that the government was ever willing to help those in the small-and-medium industry (SMI) grow as they played very important roles in the economy.

He added that entrepreneurs who are diligent had a bright future as there are growth opportunities everywhere, even in the rural areas.

On government programmes to help entrepreneurs, Nanta said he was working hard to encourage more local Bumiputeras to participate in the programme called ‘Rural Business Challenge’.

“Ever since this programme was implemented in 2012 by my ministry, no Sarawakians have won any prize although a few participated. That is why I am working hard to get more participants from Sarawak to make this programme a success.”

Nanta explained that the primary aim of ‘Rural Business Challenge’ was to provide a platform for rural Bumiputera entrepreneurs to promote their products and services.

He said his ministry had set aside RM20 million as prize money for the winners annually. The top prize is RM2 million, second prize RM500,000 and third prize RM300,000 for the different categories. The prizes are not given in terms of cash but in terms of equipment and materials for the winning businesses.

DUBS Kapit chairman Bangsa Untang, Kapit Resident Fedrick John George, Deputy Resident Joseph Ikan, DUBS Sarawak deputy chairman Zawawi Embong and political secretary to the Chief Minister Jefferson Jamit were among those present.

Source from The Borneo Post