KKDW PROG TO ASSIST RURAL DEVELOPMENT, RESIDENTS

KINABATANGAN, May 9 (Bernama) -- More than 2,000 rural residents took the opportunity to visit the ‘Sentuhan Kasih Desa’ and Madani Village Entrepreneurship programmes organised by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) at Dataran Tamu Sukau here today.

The two-day programme which started today is an effort to empower rural entrepreneurs and their products and services under KKDW was officiated by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is the Deputy Prime Minister and KKDW Minister. 

Ahmad Zahid when met by reporters after officiating the event said the programme is a continuation of the programme at the national level, and KKDW chose Sukau in Kinabatangan as one of the areas that needs to be given development focus besides helping rural residents.

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"Agencies under KKDW, among others, help provide courses and entrepreneurship training, such as KEMAS which organises training and financing programme for entrepreneurs

"Today is an exhibition on the products produced by rural entrepreneurs as an encouragement to market their products," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said his ministry also cooperated with other ministries including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to provide training related to country homestays to entrepreneurs, besides providing funding to upgrade or repair homestays.

At the programme, a total of 38 stalls and exhibitions were opened apart from four mobile counters including the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Living Costs (KPDN) for Rahmah Sales.

Meanwhile, the owner of Mama Faiz Bakery in Kinabatangan, Suhaila Mohd Jukin, 48, said the KKDW Desa Sentuhan Kasih Programme and Madani Villege Entrepreneurship is a medium for entrepreneurs in this district to 'expose' their products to outsiders.

"This can directly build a network and a programme like this is a blessing to Kinabatangan entrepreneurs, and this programme is also a platform to review of their sales," said Suhaila who started with homemade cakes from the house in 2005.

He said, Mama Faiz Bakery also has products under the Lamagi brand, which are cheese and coffee flavored baked bread products that can be used as Kinabatangan 'souvenirs' among others.

For Lahad Datu batik entrepreneur Hayati Tatuh, 50, is also pleased with the benefits of the programme by KKDW for giving her the opportunity to promote Lahad Datu batik.

"I work on tie-dye batik including shibori batik, and I have been involved in batik since 2008, we produce batik shirts, bags including bandanas and bead-based handicrafts," said Hayati , who also received orders from handicraft centres and tourism agencies in Semporna.

At the programme, the Rahmah Sale mobile counter was the focus of visitors to shop and Sabah KPDN director Georgie Abas said a total of 242 Rahmah Sales had been held so far.

"Today we are joining the mobile Rahmah Sale with lorries carrying basic goods, and among the items that always sell out quickly are oil and sugar while other goods are also sold," he added.

-- BERNAMA