Sabah SMEs told to grab opportunities offered by the Government

KOTA KINABALU: Participation of single mothers in the ready-to-eat traditional food products, EMOMS business venture has attracted the attention of the Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Panglima Hajah Juliah Salag.
“I am very impressed with EMOMS’s operation concept, which involved single mothers who are entrusted to ensure the products maintained its homemade kitchen recipe,” she said.
Getting single mothers involved as entrepreneurs is most welcome, she said, as the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the livelihood of many sectors.
Towards this end, Juliah hoped more people especially small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs would take advantage of the opportunities available under the State 2022 Budget.
In this year’s Budget, the State government would be intensifying its efforts to assist the SME entrepreneurs including in the aspect of marketing, she said during the EMOS product launching at Grandis Hotel here on Sunday.
She said the collaboration with Bataras Hypermarket and PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad through the Sabah SME products marketing programme at the Kedai Mesra PETRONAS will be continued this year.
“In the meantime, the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) has been allocated RM5.76 million for the setting up of four more SME Centres in 2022 to help market SME products. This is good news for EMOMS management and also SMEs in Sabah.
“The SME Assistance Programme (BAIKS) that has benefitted some 3,269 entrepreneurs since its inception will also be continued,” she said.
In line with the new norms of conducting business, Juliah also urged EMOS management to take the opportunity offered by the government through various programmes drawn up to improve SME products quality as well as explore overseas markets via digital platforms.
“What is important, the products must be attractive in terms of their packaging besides having a longer shelf life,” she said, adding that she was confident that through the government’s efforts, products such as EMOMS would not just be marketed locally but also internationally.
Juliah wishes to see the EMOMS brand comprising various recipes such the popular Ikan Tausi Berlada, pes ikan ampap, pes ayam berempah, pes rendang ayam and daging among others, will penetrate both the local and overseas market.
She also hoped more quarters including women associations, particularly those involved in businesses would be able to assist in promoting products produced by single mothers and SME entrepreneurs in the state by making them more competitive in order to penetrate a bigger market.