KUALA KUBU BHARU, 7 FEB: Nor Anita Baharuddin, 44, a kuih seller from Hulu Bernam considers the assistance received from the State Government as an encouragement to work hard to develop her business which she started two years ago.
“The business assistance I received will enable me to make more kuih because the oven given was much bigger than what I currently use.
“That way, I can further expand my business to other areas and receive more orders,” said the Tanjung Malim Food Court trader after the Selangor Blueprint and Health Assistance Awarding Ceremony here today.
Nor Anita was one of the 46 traders from the Hulu Selangor district who received the business assistance from the Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr Xavier Jayakumar.
The Blueprint business assistance is an assistance in the form of equipment channeled by the State Government to the business community in Selangor since 2008 with an annual allocation of RM1 million for the development of business conducted.
Saidina Hamzah Siakin, 49, who runs a lawn mowing business since three years ago welcomed the contribution of the lawn-mower granted to him because all these while, he could not afford to own the machine.
“All this while, I have received payment from cutting grass by renting this law-mowing machine at a daily rate of RM30.
“A good lawn-mower is priced between Rm1,000 to RM1,500 which is quite expensive for me. When I received assistance from the State Government, I am very grateful because now I have my own machine and I do not need to rent it anymore,” said Saidina who comes from Batang Kali.
In his speech, Dr Xavier explained that the State Government provides Blueprint assistance to those who are carrying out businesses and have proven their ability in the field.
He said that the Blueprint assistance was different from microcredit assistance because recipients do not have to pay the State Government back for what was given to them.
“The State Government provides this assistance to traders so as to increase income with the goods requested.
“We encourage for a community centre to be established so that traders can carry out their businesses there. I realised that most traders are women and the businesses they operate is in the sewing field. This way, swing machines can be placed at this community centre,” he said.
Dr Xavier said that other areas such as Tanjung Karang, Jenjarom, Sri Andalas and Klang, have already provided such community centres.