LAHAD DATU: The government, through the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, continues to be committed in efforts to strengthen women’s participation in economic activities to generate national development.
The assemblyman of Lahad Datu, Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal said it was implemented through the National Blue Ocean Strategy that was also successful with other ministries and agencies in organising programmes to encourage women to become entrepreneurs.
“Women need to take advantage of government efforts so that the development and empowerment of women agenda can be achieved, particularly in becoming active contributors to the national economy.
“The government is also committed in helping women by providing employment opportunities, grants and loans to operate businesses, and skills courses that are competitive and have potential in the market,” he said.
Yusof in his speech while officiating at the Women Mind Transformation Seminar programme (U- Boleh) at Dewan Tun Mustapha, yesterday said in Budget 2015, the government also provided women with economic development and entrepreneurship programmes by allocating additional funds of RM500 million under the Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun) Nasional.
For single mothers and women who are interested in entrepreneurship, the government continues to implement the Single Mother Skills Incubator programme (I-Kit), Women Entrepreneurship Incubator (I-KeuNita) and core programs that will provide skills training services, crafts, food, spa, beauty, sewing and so on.
The programme was organised by Women Development Department (JPW) in collaboration with the State Department of Women’s Affairs activities aiming to transform the mind to give guidance, motivation and counseling for participants to have an entrepreneurial mindsets.