‘Take advantage of loans and grants provided to entrepreneurs’

Ker (right) presenting a mock cheque to Sugumaran (left) at the event. Looking on are (from second left) Mohd Hairi and Abdul Rashid. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

TRADERS are urged to take advantage of funds provided by the government for entrepreneur development, says a state executive councillor.

Johor youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperative committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said last year, some RM395mil had been allocated for entrepreneur development.

He noted there are many different agencies which could provide assistance to entrepreneurs to further develop their business in the state.

“We want to create more entrepreneurs, especially from the younger generation,” he said in his keynote address at the 10th anniversary and fourth installation ceremony of the Malaysian Dato Entrepreneurs Association (MDEA).

Mohd Hairi said everyone, including non-governmental organisations, needed to work together to help nurture entrepreneurial skills among the people, especially the young.

“We can be from different political ideologies but we should always work together to develop Johor,” he said in commending MDEA for helping the community in the field of entrepreneurship for the past 10 years.He also congratulated the association’s new president Datuk Seri Jacky Ker Cherk Yee and his new board on their appointment.

Ker, in his speech, said that some 500 guests comprising members, NGOs and business associations attended the event.

“Such events are important for us to share resources, knowledge and information,” he said.

At the event, MDEA also present a mock cheque of RM10,000 to Yayasan Sultanah Rogayah president Datuk R. Sugumaran to help the needy in Johor.

Also present was Datuk Abdul Rashid Kasman, who represented Dewan Negara deputy president Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.