EFFORTS have been made by the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) to develop, train, and assist youth to be successful entrepreneurs.
The latest initiative was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PYDC and five other chambers of commerce and associations to provide a solid foundation for youth to grow and become successful entrepreneurs.
PYDC general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling said the joyous occasion marked the successful collaboration between the PYDC and its official partners – Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Section (PCCC YES), Malay Traders and Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia Penang (Perdasama), Malaysian Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Penang (MICCI), Malaysia Entrepreneurs’ Development Association (PUMM), and the Association of International Business and Professional Management (AIBPM) from Indonesia – in helping youth to become successful entrepreneurs.
“With this MoU, we will have more opportunities for knowledge exchange, youth apprenticeship and mentorship, as well as to educate our youth about business and entrepreneurship,” she said in her speech before the MoU signing ceremony at the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce building today.
PCCC president Datuk Seri Hong Yeam Wah said youth could bring social reforms and improvement to the society.
“The nation requires youth participation to grow and progress. However, it is up to us to guide our youth to play their role.
“PCCC has set up the PCCC YES in 2009. PCCC YES is a new force in PCCC. The section strives to equip the younger generation with entrepreneurial knowledge, business intelligence and socio-economic development awareness.
“PCCC YES is also a platform for business networking,” Hong said.
Soon said that business and entrepreneurship have always played important roles in society.
“More youth are taking the initiative to venture into business and become entrepreneurs nowadays.
“Youth no longer rely solely on job vacancies and instead, are creating job opportunities for others. They view the world differently from the older generation.
“I hope that the signing of MoU will allow more programmes being held to assist, develop, and support our youth,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis