Kedah: The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) has announced the allocation of RM6.5 million to enhance the infrastructure of small and medium-sized industrial (IKS) premises under its jurisdiction. This initiative aims to benefit approximately 320 rural entrepreneurs throughout the state of Kedah.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the chairman of KEDA, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, stated that the funds will be utilized for repairing and upgrading essential facilities and improving the surrounding environment of these business premises. The objective is to establish more comfortable and organized business spaces that align with current demands.
The initiative will be executed in phases as part of KEDA's continuous efforts to bolster and empower the rural economy. Mahdzir highlighted that enhancing basic facilities and infrastructure could potentially boost the productivity and efficiency of entrepreneurs, potentially increasing their sales revenue by up to 30 percent.
Mahdzir made these remarks to reporters following the Program Santapan Rohani Ramadan Desa KEDA Zon 2 and the handover ceremony of Kedai@KEDA Kubang Kenyeng at Desa KEDA Kubang Kenyeng. He further mentioned that KEDA currently manages 180 industrial building lots under the Taman IKS programme in various locations, including Napoh, Sungai Bongkok, Jeniang, and Wang Tok Rendong in Langkawi.
Additionally, KEDA provides 323 business premises lots across the state, including a supermarket building in Kulim, which is presently rented by Mydin. At the ceremony, four units of Kedai@KEDA Kubang Kenyeng, completed in August last year at a cost of RM489,497, were handed over to selected entrepreneurs who had gone through an interview process.
Mahdzir explained that the facility was designed to provide suitable business spaces for local entrepreneurs and to foster greater community involvement in entrepreneurial activities. The shop lots will be managed by the Desa KEDA Kubang Kenyeng Planning and Implementation Team to ensure smooth operations and maximize benefits for local residents.
One of the shop lot beneficiaries, Mat Akhir Mat Rejab, shared that the opportunity to operate in a larger and more suitable space would allow him and his wife to expand their traditional food business, offering products such as maruku, kerepek pisang, and kuih batang buruk. Previously, they had been managing their business from a small home workshop with limited space.
Mat Akhir expressed that the new shop is more comfortable and organized, which will enable them to work harder to grow their business. They also hope to hire some villagers to work with them in the future.