Seremban: The new government for Negeri Sembilan, set to be established following the state election, must implement business-friendly policies aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs and boosting the state's economy on an international level, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized. He highlighted the need for the incoming state administration to focus on creating a supportive business ecosystem to enhance the competitiveness of Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid articulated the vision for the new state government at the Negeri Sembilan Entrepreneurs Gathering Programme, attended by Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. He underscored the economic potential of Negeri Sembilan due to its strategic location near the country's administrative center and major gateways, urging entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in industrial supply chains and niche markets.
Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, stressed the importance of religious adherence, such as paying zakat, to ensure business sustainability. He highlighted MARA's role in developing a comprehensive entrepreneurial growth ecosystem to elevate entrepreneurs from nano and micro enterprises to internationally competitive small and medium-sized businesses. The goal, he noted, is not merely financial disbursement but facilitating entrepreneurs' progression to higher levels of success in collaboration with the new Negeri Sembilan government.
He further identified strong foundations in strategic sectors like manufacturing, logistics, agri-food, the halal industry, tourism, and the digital economy as key drivers for the state's future economic growth. Ahmad Zahid called for accelerated development through high-impact projects, enhancement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), modernization of SMEs, expansion of the halal ecosystem, and revitalization of the tourism sector.
In his vision, Ahmad Zahid expressed a desire for Negeri Sembilan to be a desirable place for living, working, conducting business, investing, and building futures for entrepreneurs and younger generations, with the unique Malaysia Vision Valley serving as a central feature of this aspiration.