BY: HAFIZAN TAIB
SHAH ALAM, SEP 29: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has successfully produced almost 40,000 entrepreneurs as a result of various entrepreneurship programmes implemented for the past 20 years.
These programmes were implemented by the state’s subsidiary through the establishment of the Trade Community and Industrial Bumiputera Secretariat (MPPB) in 1995, which was rebranded as Entrepreneur Development Division (BPU) in 2010, with a focus on culture, development, enhancement and networking.
Deputy General Manager Noraida Mohd Yusof said that BPU has guided at least 39,000 entrepreneurs, at a cost of almost RM230 million, from various fields including building materials manufacturers, bumiputra contractors and student entrepreneurs.
“PKNS hopes to continue to play an active role in entrepreneurial development in this country, thus contributing to the government’s efforts to produce more competitive entrepreneurs.
“To achieve our objectives, we have to continue the existing entrepreneurship programmes and constantly identify areas for improvements,” she said at the PKNS Entrepreneurs Award Night ’16 ceremony on September 28.
In the inaugural event, PKNS recognised 27 outstanding entrepreneurs with awards such as Anugerah Sub Kontraktor Bumiputera Terbaik PKNS, Anugerah Vendor Inkubator Payung Terbaik PKNS, Anugerah Usahawan Mahasiswa Cemerlang, Anugerah Usahawan GROW Cemerlang, Anugerah Inspirasi Usahawan Retail, Anugerah Inspirasi Usahawan Klinik Usahawan dan Anugerah Ikon PROTUNe.
Noraida said PKNS’s strategy is to apply the value of entrepreneurship through educational programmes, human resources development through training, networking of strategic partners and continuous assessment.
According to her, PKNS also encourages bumiputra entrepreneurs to participate in the construction sector via support in business and support services, and also by increasing the participation of bumiputra contractors and vendors in the development sector.