KUSKOP KICKING IN 43 TAMU DESA PROJECTS FOR SABAH, SARAWAK BY NEXT MARCH - EWON

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP) is implementing 43 Tamu Desa (Village Market) Premises Development Programmes under Phase 2, namely 18 sites in Sabah and 25 in Sarawak.

Its Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick said the project to upgrade the Tamu Desa or build new ones with an allocation of RM10 million is expected to be fully completed by next March to stimulate economic activity in rural areas.

He said that this can be realised by making the Tamu Desa project a centre for local economic growth that benefits small traders and hawkers and be a platform that has a long-term positive impact on small vendors.

"Tamu Desa contributes to the country's economic growth by increasing business facilities, reducing rural poverty as well as strengthening the local entrepreneurship sector while also improving the country's tourism sector," he said.

He said this in a special interview with Bernama and local newspapers Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo here today.

Ewon said Tamu Desa is typically a sales centre for local agricultural products and handicraft that helps to increase the manufacturing and trade of the local cottage industry.

"It also provides an opportunity for local products to be marketed to a wider market, increasing national income through the sale of quality domestic products," he added.

He said that during the tabling of the MADANI Budget 2025 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 18, RM100 million was allocated to build stalls and repair public market infrastructure in all local governments across the country, upgrading market facilities including business space for small Tamu Desa vendors in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said KUSKOP will cooperate with the governments of Sabah and Sarawak where the district office in Sabah and the Local Authority (PBT) in Sarawak will be appointed as an implementing agency to develop more conducive Tamu Desa outlets.

Ewon also plans to make the Tamu Desa programme an annual initiative of the ministry, and even a Member of Parliament from the Peninsula suggested that he implement the programme in his village area.

Meanwhile, Ewon said that since last year his ministry has launched a Special Financing Scheme for traders to do business in the community's village market.

"Through this scheme, we have seen a very encouraging response and many are taking advantage of this loan to start a small business. The capital loan of up to RM5,000 is enough to help women who want to start a business," he added.

He said to empower small traders, his ministry not only provides infrastructure and loan facilities, but it also creates a strategic plan where every trader is encouraged to make contributions to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) for social protection.

"In addition, we want all small traders to have a business licence from the district office or a business permit from the local authority," he said.

-- BERNAMA