Awang Tengah presenting a mock cheque at the event.
MORE jobs are expected to be created when two industrial parks in Sibu are completed under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Sibu District Business Registry Programme called “Jum Regista”, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the two parks were the Sibu Industrial Park, which was designed for general industrial activities, and the Rantau Panjang Phase II Industrial Park for shipping industry activities.
“These industrial parks are being developed to meet demand for industrial land in Sibu.
“They will provide an orderly and conducive industrial area, equipped with infrastructure like roads and drainage as well as basic amenities like electricity, water and telecommunications,” he said.
Both projects are in the early stages of construction.
Awang Tengah, who is also the state International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, said his ministry was working with Sibu Municipal Council (MPS) to provide another nine modern, uniform and clean kiosks for the benefit of hawkers operating at the Sibu night market.
He said a conducive business infrastructure helped ensure the survival of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Therefore, his ministry has provided infrastructure facilities for many local entrepreneurs.
“I hope these facilities will help local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to be committed to developing their businesses,” he added.
On the registration programme, Awang Tengah said his ministry had taken the initiative to help “informal” entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas, to “formalise” their business.
“While this is to enable entrepreneurs to remain active and competitive, continuous commitment from the entrepreneurs themselves is important.
“The first step in this direction is to register their businesses.”
According to Awang Tengah, who is also Bukit Sari assemblyman, business formalisation efforts are one of the catalysts for Sarawak to move towards a digital business landscape.
By registering a business, he explained, entrepreneurs would enjoy aid from the government and financial institutions and they would be able to explore other business prospects.
“This year, this programme was held in Bintulu and Serian. In Bintulu, 133 entrepreneurs were registered, and in Serian there were 125 new registrations.
“So far, more than 1,600 entrepreneurs have registered their businesses through the ‘Jum Regista’ programme,“ he said.
