Kesedar allocates RM1.25 mln to help rural entrepreneurs this year

GUA MUSANG, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) has allocated RM1.25 million to help 187 entrepreneurs through its Business Support Programme (PSP) under the Community Rehabilitation and Income Enhancement (PPP) initiatives this year.

Kesedar general manager Dr Shahrir Mohammad Zakey said of the total, RM655,000 was allocated for PPP involving a total of 68 participants covering 11 business categories such as furniture manufacturing and refurbishment, food and culinary, electrical and electronics, construction and residential refurbishment.

He said a total of RM595,000 was allocated for the PSP, involving 119 participants with an aid value of RM5,000 each in the form of courses, training and business equipment.

The programme aimed at increasing the income of rural participants through their involvement in economic projects, he added.

"Applications are open throughout the year,” he told reporters after the handing over ceremony of equipment under Phase Two of the Community Rehabilitation Programme (workshop equipment) at Kesedar headquarters, here today.

Meanwhile, programme participant Fazila Rosol, 36, from Gua Musang Housing Project for the Hardcore Poor said the machine that she received would facilitate her work in furniture making.

"I started working on furniture making business after the Movement Control Order phase last year with a capital of RM5,000 and I cut and split materials such as plywood manually. Alhamdulillah, with this machine, I can do my work faster,” she said.

Fellow recipient, Mohd Kasuraidi Deraman, 46, from the Paloh 2 Land Development Plan said the welding equipment that he received today would help him to advance his two-year-old business.

--BERNAMA