Help one another, Bumiputera entrepreneurs reminded

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Henry (right) listens to questions raised during the session.

Henry (right) listens to questions raised during the session.

SEMATAN: Successful entrepreneurs have a role to play in developing entrepreneurship in their respective communities.

Prominent Bumiputera businessman Dato Henry Harry Jinep said with sharing of ideas and experience, these accomplished business individuals could help others, especially those who had just started, to grow and succeed in their respective ventures.

“Once you are successful, make contributions as your way of giving back to society. Help your friends, relatives and
other members of the community to also achieve success in their trade,” he told participants at the stet-level Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (Tube) programme here on Thursday night.

Henry, the recipient of Sarawak Excellent Bumiputera Entrepreneur Award 2015, was invited as a speaker for the ‘Forum With Successful Entrepreneur’ session of the programme at Kem Putra Sentosa near here, organised by SME Corporation Malaysia.

The businessman also encouraged young entrepreneurs to not be afraid of starting from humble beginning, like he did 11 years ago.

“Self-discipline is very important. Business owners and proprietors, as leaders of their respective businesses, must have discipline; otherwise the business might collapse.

“You must also be trustworthy in the eyes of your customers. You must have the knowledge on the type of business that you are doing, and with the lessons and experience gained along the way, you would be able to succeed,” he said.

Henry, who is also Putra Sentosa Group of Companies chief executive officer, also reminded participants that communication skills were vital, in that entrepreneurs must never be shy in meeting new people, introduce their offerings and expand their networking.

The 48-year-old businessman, who hails from Singai in Bau, was named the Excellent Bumiputera Entrepreneur Award at this year’s Bumiputera Entrepreneur Awards on Oct 16, which was graced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Meanwhile, SME Corp senior manager (economics and policy planning division) Hisham Taharuddin thanked Henry for his participation in the sharing session, hoping that the businessman would inspire the participants towards striving for excellence.

The three-week Tube programme at Kem Putra Sentosa was launched on Nov 1 by Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais.

It is hosting more than 40 new entrepreneurs, who are among 500 youths chosen to undergo the camp at 10 locations nationwide.

This year marks the second edition of the programme, which involves a ‘Boot Camp’, training, workshop on business basics, ‘Buddy System’, and also business plan preparations.

It is now an annual programme with a ready-fund of RM45 million by the federal government under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), with the target to produce more Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

A seed capital of RM15,000 will only be given to each of the participants after they have successfully completed the camp, training and workshop and most importantly, registered their business.