Kuala Lumpur: The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP) has allocated RM12 million for the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) programme this year. Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick announced that the allocation, which is being channelled through SME Corp Malaysia, aims to train 500 entrepreneurs across the country, including 110 participants from Sabah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ewon emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship initiatives in lifting regions like Sabah out of hardcore poverty, which is a significant concern in various forums. He encouraged Sabah entrepreneurs to utilize services offered by other government agencies as well. These remarks came during the launch of the TUBE 11 programme at the International Technology and Commercial Centre.

The training programme will initially commence in Sabah and is set to expand to four other zones: Northern, East Coast, Central and Southern, and Sarawak, starting in May. Ewon, who also serves as the Penampang Member of Parliament, highlighted that the TUBE programme offers a maximum startup grant of RM15,000 to participants who complete the one-week training.

He mentioned enhancements in the TUBE 11 programme with a more dynamic training module that is aligned with the latest trends in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The curriculum now includes topics such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and the adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

KUSKOP has also proposed continuing the programme under the 13th Malaysia Plan with additional improvements aimed at increasing its effectiveness and extending its reach to more Bumiputera youth nationwide. Since 2014, TUBE has successfully trained 8,543 youths, facilitated the creation of 15,872 job opportunities, and recorded a cumulative sales value of RM194 million.