KOTA KINABALU: Trust is one of the main driving forces of success especially in businesses, Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) chairman Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif told participants of a state-level Young Entrepreneurs Programme convention.Arifin revealed at the closing and prize presentation ceremony of the programme yesterday that 80 per cent of success in business is based on trust.
“If we are honest, we will persevere and achieve what we set out to do but if we are not, our image and pride will go out the window and we will not be able to achieve our ambition of becoming successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
According to Arifin, the Young Entrepreneurs Programme is part of the government’s manifesto towards producing a commercial and industrious Bumiputera community which is trained, progressive and competitive as well as able to face global business challenges.
Through the programme, the government aims to instill and create entrepreneurship culture among the younger generation, especially students as well as provide them with a practical opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship.
Arifin also said the programme was introduced in Sabah in 1997 with 10 pioneer schools and the number had since increased to 45 schools last year with the participation of 1,125 students, 90 teachers and 16 guiding agencies.
“In 2009, the state and federal governments approved RM530,000 allocation for the programme including the building of 12 additional kiosks bringing the total of qualified schools in Sabah to 43,” he said, adding that this reflected the commitment of the government in implementing the programme which is an early step to improve the people’s, especially the Bumiputera’s involvement in the business sector.
“Early exposure is very important if we want to guide and mould the younger generation towards becoming successful entrepreneurs and to this end, the government has also paved the way to allow the participants of this programme to continue with their business activities at the higher learning institutes,” Arifin pointed out.
Among the programmes available at the higher learning institutes are the ‘Pembangunan Usahawan Siswa’, ‘Latihan Keusahawanan Siswa’ and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).
Meanwhile, Sedcovest Holdings Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Awang Sham Haji Amit said through the programme, secondary school students participated in courses to understand more about managing a business as well as setting up and dissolving one.
They are also required to table their annual financial report at the convention and this year’s event was held from April 24 to 25 at the Sabah Trade Centre.
“This year, a total of 15 out of 45 participating schools qualified to present their annual financial reports and I would like to advise those who did not make it not to give up but to try again next year,” he said.
According to Awang Sham, the winner of the programme this year will represent Sabah in the national-level convention in May where they will also get the opportunity to set up networking with their peers from other states and exchange ideas.
He disclosed that this year, the total sales from participating schools was about RM408,000 while the nett profit was RM66,529.
Awang Sham also said that in the past, the winners of the state-level Young Entrepreneurs Programme were the companies that reaped in a nett profit of between RM5,000 and RM10,000 after being in operation for nine months.
“Even in such a short period of time they managed their companies well and made a profit, so this shows that with guidance and exposure, they can be more successful,” he said.