Najib visits an exhibition booth after closing the Young Bumiputra Entrepreneurs Congress. —Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has given an assurance that the government will continue to empower youths, especially those in entrepreneurship and business.
The prime minister said the assurance was not a political rhetoric but something which would be translated into a new policy and programme to produce young entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the closing of the Young Bumiputra Entrepreneurs Congress in the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Tower here yesterday, he said the government wanted to produce successful entrepreneurs in the long term, via inclusive and sustainable programmes.
“This means that if we want to develop an entrepreneur, he must be a successful entrepreneur in the long-term, and not one who merely depends on government contracts. What more, if they were grouped under the category of rent-seekers or those out to obtain commission… we want to develop entrepreneurs whom we can be proud of, in the end,” he said.
Also present at the three-day congress organised by the Malaysian Young Entrepreneurs Organisation was International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Najib also outlined three principles of a successful entrepreneur, namely one with good morals; possessing knowledge and skills; and, not depending on others to be successful.
“We cannot depend on the government to obtain employment as the capability of a government to provide employment for all is limited.
“We should be capable of becoming the provider of employment to other people. If we, as entrepreneurs were successful in producing tens or hundreds of employment opportunities, we have indeed, made a huge contribution to the community,” he said. — Bernama