In a successful effort to support entrepreneurs, Perak has assisted 114,000 individuals from January to November 2023. During the Perak State Entrepreneurship Awards 2022 at Hotel Kinta Riverfront & Suites, Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Saarani bin Mohamad highlighted the government’s collaboration with the State Entrepreneur Secretariat (STeP), implementing 414 entrepreneurial programs with a budget of RM348 million.
The programs, including Go Cashless n E-Commerce, one-off assistance, moratorium, Prihatin Special Grants, microcredit schemes, and the Perak Entrepreneur Grant (GeRUP), played a crucial role in business development, particularly post-pandemic. GeRUP alone has approved nearly 900 entrepreneur applications, and the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Open Day Tour Program 2023 benefited over 200,000 entrepreneurs across 11 districts.
In further support, RM1.3 million has been allocated to STeP in the 2024 Perak Budget to strengthen entrepreneurial initiatives. The awards ceremony recognized outstanding entrepreneurs, with Mr. Ahmad Zakaria bin Khalid receiving the Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 award for his company, Minyak Afiat Sdn Bhd, in Kuala Kangsar.
The event was attended by key figures from the Perak State Government, including the State Legal Advisor, State Financial Officer, Chairperson of the Women, Family, Community Welfare, Entrepreneurship Development, and Cooperative Development Committee, Deputy State Secretaries, and the STeP Director.
Image credit: MBI FB
