KUCHING: The Alliance of Malay Economic Bodies (Gabem) is considering to establish a one-stop centre here to raise awareness among Bumiputera entrepreneurs on facilities and services available at government agencies.
There are more than 30 relevant institutes available at federal and state agencies to help entrepreneurs and businesses, but Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Entrepreneur Development) Mohd Naroden Majais was concerned that knowledge and awareness of such facilities was low, especially among rural entrepreneurs.
This was compounded by the relevant agencies being scattered throughout Sarawak, so the need to set up a centre to gather under one roof all relevant agencies for the convenience of entrepreneurs.
“Gabem already has one in Kuala Lumpur. For Kuching, we are still studying the locations. One area identified is the podium in Kubah Ria in Satok. We will discuss the matter with Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).
“Another venue under consideration is the one we are using today,” Naroden told the media after visiting participating booths at ‘Gabem one-stop centre programme’ held at Sarawak Tourism Complex here yesterday.
Hoping the centre could be set up this year, he said it would either be permanent or semi-permanent, depending on the rental and operation cost.
He stressed that the main objective of Gabem (especially in Sarawak) was to align all roles and responsibility of economic development among Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
“We are conducting this one-stop centre to unite all local entrepreneurs with the relevant government agencies because of the different function and roles of these departments. The one stop centre would be able to unite all the agencies in one place for the convenient of all customers to meet up with the officers.
“This would also help customers understand further the roles, financial aid and other facilities provided by the agencies. Inadvertently, this programme would enhance the relationship between entrepreneurs and such agencies,” he continued.
Naroden also highlighted that Gabem would expand the programme to all the towns and districts throughout the state in order to increase the awareness level of the people.
“It was only a few years ago that we have many rural entrepreneurs whom we do not know – Tekun, Smidec and such. They only know SEDC and Bank Rakyat but now the situation is improving due to other similar annual programmes we have implemented since 2004.”