Kota kinabalu: A total of RM18.9 million in financial assistance under the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP) 2.0 and BEEP Plus has been approved for 182 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sabah to date. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick announced the allocation, highlighting the government’s commitment to bolstering local entrepreneurship through this initiative.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the grants, facilitated by the ministry’s agency SME Corp Malaysia, are aimed at empowering micro businesses in both urban and rural settings. The programmes not only support business growth but also contribute to job creation and the development of local economies. Minister Benedick emphasized that the initiatives are crucial for reducing the development gap between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia by focusing on Bumiputera entrepreneurship in Sabah and Sarawak.

BEEP is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Bumiputera SMEs by offering integrated support such as advisory services, technical assistance, training, and financial aid up to RM500,000. BEEP Plus, funded under the Micro MADANI scheme, provides matching grants of up to RM250,000 for Bumiputera micro enterprises in the regions of Sabah and Sarawak.

During the Sabah MSME Hub Open Day and Networking Session, Minister Benedick presented mock cheques totaling RM1.3 million to 18 recipients of BEEP 2.0, BEEP Plus, and the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) programme. This gesture underscored the tangible impact of the financial support on local businesses.

SME Corp has approved 44 BEEP 2.0 grant applications from Sabah, amounting to RM7.42 million. Meanwhile, the BEEP Plus programme has significantly benefited 197 Bumiputera-owned micro enterprises in Sabah and Sarawak, with 138 of these enterprises from Sabah alone receiving grants totaling RM11.48 million.