Sarawak Women Empowered Through MARA Initiatives - Deputy Minister

KAPIT, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Bumiputera women entrepreneurs in Sarawak continue to be empowered through various initiatives by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), including financing facilities, business premises and training programmes.

Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said MARA has allocated RM33 million this year to 1,156 entrepreneurs in Sarawak, including RM955,000 under the DanaNITA scheme, which benefited 26 women entrepreneurs up to July.

“As of July 2025, a total of 243 entrepreneurs received financing totalling RM30.1 million, including 92 women entrepreneurs involving RM6.8 million.

“Today alone, nine women entrepreneurs in Kapit received financing under several MARA schemes amounting to RM377,700,” she said when officiating the Kapit Division Women Empowerment Programme 2025 at Dewan Suarah here today.

Apart from financing, MARA has provided 383 business premises in Sarawak with a 96 per cent occupancy rate as of July, involving 158 women entrepreneurs with sales totalling RM53.4 million and generating 1,045 job opportunities.

The Kota Samarahan MP said MARA has also implemented business digitalisation initiatives with an allocation of RM1.2 million through the MERIT, BEST, DIGITALBIZ and ADAPT programmes, which have benefited 398 entrepreneurs with grants worth RM875,000 as of July.

Rubiah said women’s roles are no longer confined to the kitchen but are now central to national economic development, in line with the MARA Community Women Empowerment Action Plan 2025-2030, which outlines 17 strategic initiatives covering skills training, financing and digital marketing.

“Women who rock the cradle can move the world. Therefore, I hope this Women Empowerment Programme will serve as a catalyst to bring MARA closer to the people and support more Bumiputera women entrepreneurs in Sarawak,” she added.

-- BERNAMA