THE Penang government will continue to prioritise, support and encourage the involvement of hawkers, traders and entrepreneurs in driving the economic development in the state, caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
He said this after recognising 13 hawkers, traders and entrepreneurs from the Kecil Melayu Hawkers and Traders Association with excellence awards for their impressive performance.
“I hope these award recipients will continue to thrive, and importantly, serve as role models for aspiring individuals.
“It would not have been possible for these individuals without working hard for it.
“As for the state government, we acknowledge the contribution from these groups of individuals, especially playing a pivotal role in the state’s economic development.
“Through the ‘Keusahawanan Satu Budaya’ (K1B) campaign, launched on Aug 1, 2022, our goal is to ensure each household has at least one entrepreneur.
“So far, a total of 70,000 entrepreneurs have joined this campaign, and by 2030, we hope to achieve our target of 100,000 registered entrepreneurs,” Chow said in his speech during a special dinner held at the Bahtera Impian hall in Sungai Ara today.
Also, during the dinner, six eligible individuals from the Kecil Melayu Hawkers and Traders Association were announced as beneficiaries of the Skim Pinjaman Harapan (SPH).
SPH is an initiative introduced by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to assist and lift the burden on the shoulders of potential entrepreneurs in their businesses in the form of a financing model.
So far, it is learnt that the Penang government, through PDC, has approved RM26.35 million (SPH) to 4,059 entrepreneurs in the state.
Also, present during the event were caretaker state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, PDC deputy chief executive officer Roslan Hassan and Kecil Melayu Hawkers and Traders Association representative Datuk Zainal Abidin Abdul Majid.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat