KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives of Malaysia, Datuk Ewon Benedick, hailed the Shell LiveWIRE Cohort 2023 programme as a key complement to the government’s efforts to foster a robust entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country.
At the prestigious National Awards Ceremony for the Shell LiveWIRE Cohort 2023, Ewon said that programmes such as this empower and inspire young individuals to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
He emphasised that entrepreneurial development is crucial for economic strength and lifting communities out of poverty.
“I applaud initiatives like the Shell LiveWIRE for complementing and supporting the government’s effort to create a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem in Malaysia.
“We recognise Shell LiveWIRE for its role in identifying, nurturing, and promoting the talents of young and innovative entrepreneurs. Programmes such as this empower and inspire young individuals to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path,” he said in his speech on Monday.
Ewon also extended his congratulations to the top 15 Shell LiveWIRE entrepreneurs from Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia, commending their ability to transform challenges into opportunities.
“Your relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to innovation are admirable. May you inspire others to dream big as well.
“Today’s awards ceremony is not just a celebration of individual achievements; it is a collective acknowledgment of the vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem that we are building together. Each success story represents a milestone in our journey towards a more prosperous and resilient nation.
“To all entrepreneurs in this hall today, don’t forget to give back; pay it forward when you are successful. Successful founders are often the best mentors, coaches, and even investors to other inspiring young entrepreneurs,” he added.
KUSKOP has been actively monitoring the progress of entrepreneurs and cooperatives, with 21 strategies and 184 programmes outlined for 2023 aimed at benefiting over 500,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the nation.
“However, KUSKOP will not be able to reach out to all entrepreneurs, and so we are pleased to have companies such as Shell develop and run programmes that not only provide grants but also mentoring and coaching to budding Malaysian entrepreneurs across Malaysia,” he said.
