10 Sabah youth receive an entrepreneurial grant from TUBE

KOTA KINABALU: It has become a brighter future for 10 Sabahan youths after they received grants totaling RM300,000 from SME Corp, Malaysia, under the Tunas Usahwan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) 9.0 grant assistance, which falls under the purview of the Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development Ministry (KUSKOP).
The grant assistance was presented by KUSKOP minister Datuk Ewon Benedick during a meet and greet session with TUBE 2023 Sabah alumni at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort on Saturday.
In his speech, Ewon said the various agencies under his ministry provide financial schemes to develop youth entrepreneurship, among them the TUBE programme and the Mobilepreneur Scheme, which is managed by TEKUN Nasional.
“In the 2024 Budget, the TUBE programme received a RM20 million allocation as part of the government’s initiative to encourage more youths to venture into the field of entrepreneurship.
“The target group under the programme is for those aged 18 to 30 who have interests in business after having obtained a certificate of skills from training skilled centres.
“The TUBE programme directly supports the national youth development agenda, with entrepreneurship being among the focal points for youth to progress,” he said.
Ewon hoped the programme would encourage more youths to venture into the business world, having their own businesses and thus creating jobs for others.
“This grant presentation to Sabah TUBE participants is the key highlight, as it goes to show that the recipients are focused and serious in the business endeavour,” he said.
According to Ewon, a total of 7,738 TUBE participants have been trained, with 1,157 (16.4%) of them having registered businesses, creating 2,039 jobs among them so far.
These young entrepreneurs have generated sales worth RM20.6 million during the period, he added.
Other than TUBE, TEKUN Nasional also has a special scheme for youths, and among them is TEKUN Mobileprenuer, with RM10 million allocated to the programme under the Budget 2024. The funds are for the recipients to have capital to purchase motorcycles and finance their digital platform.
Another RM720 million allocation is also set aside for womenfolk, encouraging them to venture into businesses identified by the ministry and its agencies, Ewon added.
The minister said KUSKOP would remain committed and responsive to assisting youth in scaling up their businesses and improving their business acumen.