TEMERLOH: A total of 24,592 entrepreneurs and cooperatives in Pahang received financing in the form of loans and grants involving funds totaling RM425 million until Sept 30, said Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said the financing was channeled, among others, through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, TEKUN Nasional, SME Bank, Bank Rakyat, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas), SME Corp and also the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM).
“A total of 674 entrepreneurs have received entrepreneurship guidance and training from the National Entrepreneurship Institute, while SME Corp has also implemented various entrepreneurship development programmes, benefiting 2,205 entrepreneurs,” he said.
He said this when speaking at an assembly with staff from the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP) and the Pahang KUSKOP agency here today.
Previously, Ewon was reported to have said that KUSKOP through its agency had channeled RM7.96 billion to 282,849 micro, small and medium enterprise (PMKS) entrepreneurs and cooperatives in the first nine months of this year.
Touching on the aspect of cooperatives in Pahang, he informed that 56 new cooperatives have been registered this year while 10 cooperatives have received financing totaling RM9.03 million under the SKM Revolving Capital Fund.
“I really appreciate the commitment shown by all officers and staff in ministries and agencies in Pahang in ensuring that all initiatives and assistance to entrepreneurs and cooperatives can be delivered effectively,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the 2025 Hawker and Small Trader Day Carnival (HPPK) which will be held in Lurah Semantan here for three days starting yesterday is targeted to be attended by more than 20,000 visitors with a sales value of RM1 million and a financing potential of RM4 million.
HPPK 2025 featured the participation of 158 entrepreneurs from various categories, including eight food truck entrepreneurs, 14 Anekarasa MADANI entrepreneurs and 30 One District One Industry (SDSI) entrepreneurs.
Apart from that, a total of 707 hawkers operating at Pekan Sehari here on Sunday will also be paired with the participation of 20 government exhibiting agencies at the Federal and state levels.
— BERNAMA
