Kota Kinabalu: Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Ewon Benedick has urged entrepreneurs in Sabah to fully utilize the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Hub to stay informed about the latest opportunities in entrepreneurship and expand their business potential.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MSME Hub is designed to function as a one-stop center where entrepreneurs can access comprehensive and timely information related to entrepreneurship. This includes guidance on starting a business, best practices, market access, human capital development, financial resources, and industry developments. The Hub also offers advice from on-duty officers and details on government entrepreneurship programs, alongside a dedicated space for micro-enterprises to showcase their products and services.

The Sabah MSME Hub marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind in East Malaysia. Previously, such a facility was only available at the SME Corp Malaysia headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Plans are underway to establish another MSME Hub in Sarawak. Ewon emphasized the importance of focusing on entrepreneurship and cooperative development in Sabah and Sarawak to ensure these states are not left behind in efforts to scale up businesses.

Ewon aims for approximately 10,000 Sabah entrepreneurs to visit the MSME Hub annually, a target inspired by the visitor numbers at SME Corp’s MSME Hub in Kuala Lumpur. Last year, 10,035 entrepreneurs visited the Kuala Lumpur hub, with 2,607 visits recorded in the first quarter of this year.

SME Corp Malaysia’s CEO, Rizal Nainy, highlighted the critical role of MSMEs in Malaysia’s economy, representing 96.9 percent or 1.1 million of the nation’s businesses. He stressed the need to enhance MSMEs’ contribution to GDP, exports, employment, and productivity. SME Corp Malaysia remains dedicated to empowering MSMEs through initiatives like the MSME Hub to improve access to vital information.

Rizal noted that the agency has supported over 9,100 MSMEs in Sabah as part of the 12th Malaysia Plan. During the event, Ewon also distributed cheques totaling RM841,099.97 to 15 recipients of the Bumiputera Enterprise Improvement Programme in Sabah and recognized the Best Participant and Best Business Plan for the Bumiputera Youth Entrepreneurs Programme 11 in the state.