Sabak bernam: Yayasan Hijrah Selangor (Hijrah Selangor) has launched the Hijrah Innovation and Growth Hub (HIGHub) to accelerate business digitalisation, with Sabak Bernam chosen as the pilot district. Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the initiative serves as a one-stop centre offering entrepreneurship training, digital facilities, and market access for micro-entrepreneurs.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this is the first pilot project under Hijrah Selangor. The hub will provide a dedicated space for entrepreneurs to participate in programmes, as well as obtain advisory and consultancy services. The state government is committed to bringing opportunities and technology closer to entrepreneurs who need them, with the hub targeting 300 participants, he told a press conference after launching the programme at Ruang Daya Cipta (RDC) Sabak Bernam today.
Also present were Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Al-Hadad, who is also a member of the Hijrah Selangor Board of Trustees, and Hijrah Selangor chief executive officer Datuk Mearia Hamzah. Mohd Najwan said the hub reflects the agency's transformation from a microfinance provider into a catalyst for entrepreneurial development and technology adoption.
Registered entrepreneurs will have access to a digital studio, computer lab, and collaborative workspace to support creative and professional content marketing. He said Hijrah Selangor plans to expand the model to other districts, including Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, and Kuala Langat.
'We want to produce more resilient, digitally savvy entrepreneurs who can compete in the future economy, with a target of benefiting more than 4,000 entrepreneurs by 2030. This initiative is expected to create a more competitive entrepreneurial community capable of reaching global markets through greater digital adoption,' he said.
Mohd Najwan also attributed the programme's success to the strong loan repayment discipline among entrepreneurs across the state. He said Hijrah Selangor had disbursed 94,200 financing facilities worth RM915 million to more than 62,000 entrepreneurs between 2015 and May this year.
Meanwhile, Mearia said the agency's strong financial performance had enabled it to continue providing funding support and introducing new initiatives. 'We recorded a 95 per cent repayment rate over the past two years, giving us the confidence to continue offering financing and develop new programmes. The consistent repayment rate also shows that our initiatives have had a positive impact on the sustainability of entrepreneurs in Selangor,' she said.