Kota kinabalu: The National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional) has successfully disbursed RM43.71 million to 2,213 entrepreneurs in Sabah during the first five months of the year through an array of financing schemes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick announced that the funding supported eight different financing schemes tailored for micro-entrepreneurs and contractors. The Kontrak-i Financing Scheme emerged as the most heavily funded, with an allocation of RM71.28 million set aside for the current year.

Ewon elaborated on the variety of schemes available, which include TEKUN Niaga, the Craft Entrepreneur Financing Scheme, the TEKUN Online Financing Scheme, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Entrepreneur Financing Scheme, the Teman TEKUN Scheme, the Usahawan Tamu Financing Scheme (SPUT), and the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme.

From January to May, RM2.05 million was allocated to 408 entrepreneurs under the SPUT initiative, while RM228,000 supported 17 craft entrepreneurs through the Craft Entrepreneur Financing Scheme. Furthermore, the TVET Financing Scheme saw RM1.07 million distributed to 36 applicants, reflecting a favorable response.

Ewon also highlighted that the SPUT scheme, launched in 2023, has distributed RM13.76 million to 3,050 entrepreneurs across Sabah and Sarawak as of May.