KUCHING: A business centre, specially for female entrepreneurs, is expected to be opened here in June.
Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, who disclosed this yesterday, said the centre known as Women Entrepreneurs Trading Centre (WETC) would be located at Medan Pelita near Leboh Wayang, and would be promoted as a ‘must-stop’ centre for tourists.
“The centre fits our concept where the place is made into a central trading place for our female entrepreneurs to sell Sarawak’s signature products such as Kek Lapis, Laksa Sarawak, Kolo Mee and handicrafts,” she said after launching the ‘Sarawak Women Entrepreneur Conference 2012’ at a hotel here.
The minister also said that they were now in the process of making final arrangements for the project.
“We are also selecting entrepreneurs properly because we want only those who are genuinely interested and have the potential and capacity to carry out their business to operate there.
“This is very important because we do not want them to do it half way. We want them to sustain the business and in turn make WETC into a must-stop centre for tourists,” she added.
Fatimah is confident that the location of WETC which is at the city’s tourism centre will be a hit among tourists.
“Entrepreneurs are also advised to add value to their products. For example, they can also hold a demonstration for tourists on how kek lapis and local handicrafts are made,” she said.
Speaking on the centre’s rental charges, Fatimah said at the early stages of operation entrepreneurs would be assisted by the ministry.
When asked to comment on the ‘Tepati Janji’ programme on Apr 28 at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Fatimah said it showed that the federal and state governments cared about the people.