Rural youths to gain from “Rural Business Challenge”
KUALA LUMPUR: The rural youths in Malaysia are in need of help by the government in starting their business. In responding to this the government has recently started a business contest for the youths under the Rural and Development Ministry.
The ‘Rural Business Challenge’ provides opportunities to Malaysian youths in producing a business plan through ideas and translates these ideas into a viable form of successful business.
This contest is in line with the government’s aim in transforming the rural youths. It is a collaborative effort with the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) and comes under the Government Transformation Programme’s (GTP) Improving Rural Development National Key Result Area (NKRA).
The contest is open to youths between the ages of 18 and 40. Participation includes individuals, groups or Enterprise companies (single/partnership) and Sdn. Bhd companies. The contest ends on August 3, 2012.
The purpose of the competition is to provide opportunities for youths to develop a business plan that will create new employment opportunities and increase the income for villagers within the rural areas.
Datuk Sri Idris Jala
The proposed business plan will be required to address one of the four categories which is Agriculture, Services, Manufacturing and Rural Tourism. This is definitely an opportunity for Malaysian rural youths to better themselves. Apart from learning how to do business, programmes and contests such as this indirectly provides help for them in starting their business.
Ministry in the Prime Minister’s Department and CEO of PEMANDU, Datuk Sri Idris Jala said that this contest provided a great opportunity for youths out there. Youths from the rural areas should take the opportunity to take part in businesses such as this as it would help them develop in their business. This will help in indirectly eradicating poverty in rural areas.
Datuk Ibrahim bin Muhamad, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development said “The competition is part of the strategy to develop a comprehensive policy that will encourage young people to return to villages, find gainful employment and realistic business opportunities.”
“Under the 21st Century Village concept, we aim to improve infrastructure in villages, create a conducive, empowering environment and provide access to equal employment opportunities for rural people,” said Datuk Ibrahim bin Muhamad, Secretary-General of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
Competitions or programmes such as this provide unique opportunities for young people to engage in as active partners in the Government’s effort to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship with sustainable rural employment opportunities.
“I personally feel that it is a good idea by the government. It will enable these youths to get together and be creative,” said Teh, Assistant Finance and Admin Manager for Enterprise Asia – a non- governmental organisation for entrepreneurship. –TMT
