KOTA KINABALU: In a push to cultivate job creators rather than job seekers, 110 young Sabahan entrepreneurs will participate in the 11th edition of the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) programme, set to begin in May.
Dubbed TUBE 11, each participant will receive a business start-up grant of up to RM15,000.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick expressed confidence that TUBE 11 participants in Sabah would successfully establish their businesses and contribute to the state's economic growth.
"The TUBE programme is designed to equip young entrepreneurs with essential knowledge and real-world business exposure. It fosters a shift in mindset, encouraging bumiputra youth to become job creators rather than job seekers," he said at the launch of TUBE 11, organised by SME Corp Malaysia, an agency under the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry in Penampang on Sunday (Feb 23).
Also present were ministry secretary-general Datuk Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, SME Corp. Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, SME Corp Malaysia chief executive officer Rizal Nainy, and representatives from strategic partners such as Bank Rakyat, the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), SME Bank, Tekun and Pernas.
Benedick noted that since its inception in 2014, the TUBE programme has trained 8,543 young entrepreneurs, creating 15,872 jobs and generating an accumulated sales value of RM194mil.
Benedick urged participants to continuously update their knowledge and skills in response to rapid technological changes affecting businesses in both rural and urban areas.
"To keep pace with evolving economic demands, TUBE 11 features a more comprehensive training module, integrating insights on artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability.
"These additions will help shape entrepreneurs capable of driving national economic growth," he said.
