BELURAN: Sabah will expand the scope of the SME-UP Grant aid to the service sector next year, says Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Ewon, who is also state Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, said the special grant assistance scheme offered to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was previously open only to the manufacturing and production sectors.
“The allocation, managed through the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) to assist MSMEs in enhancing their capacity, competitiveness and business development within the state, is specifically intended for the manufacturing and production sectors covering machinery used to transform raw materials into intermediate goods or final products.
“However, after nearly a year in this ministry, both Assistant Minister Datuk Jonnybone Kurum and I have received numerous inquiries from MSME operators, including those in the tourism services, clinical, legal and retail sectors, regarding their status, as these businesses provide services to customers and create employment opportunities,” he told reporters after officiating the Beluran edition of the “Hawkers and Small Traders Day” (HPPK) 2026 mini-carnival yesterday, Bernama reported.
Ewon said the matter has been presented to the state Cabinet, and he is confident it will be incorporated into the Sabah Budget.
Regarding the HPPK 2026 programme, Ewon said this mini-carnival represents the Sabah government’s recognition of the role and contributions of the state’s MSME community.
The programme is scheduled to take place in three other districts, namely Kota Marudu, Putatan and Kota Belud, in November and December.
