RM1 Million AFF Fund Empowers Satok Entrepreneurs, 20 Recipients Receive Machinery & Equipment In Second Phase
KUCHING: A total of 20 local entrepreneurs in the Satok constituency received machinery and equipment assistance worth RM332,830 through the second phase of the Agricultural Facilitation Fund (AFF) Programme, in an effort to enhance their production capacity and business competitiveness.
Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and PETROS) and Satok Assemblyman, Datuk Ibrahim Baki, said the assistance forms part of the overall AFF allocation totalling RM1 million earmarked for the Satok constituency.
According to him, the implementation of the second phase follows the success of the first phase, which also involved an allocation of approximately RM300,000 to local entrepreneurs.
"Today, we are presenting assistance to 20 entrepreneurs in the Satok area. This is the second phase of AFF aid disbursement following the implementation of the first phase earlier.
"All assistance provided is based on the actual needs of the entrepreneurs to help them increase their production and income," he said when met by the media following the Symbolic Handover Ceremony of Machinery and Equipment under the AFF Facilitation Allocation for the Satok constituency, here on Saturday.
He explained that the assistance channelled encompasses various types of food processing machinery and equipment, including kuih-making machines, freezers, coconut processing machines and other equipment needed to improve productivity and product quality.
He added that the AFF is a Sarawak Government initiative to assist entrepreneurs in the agriculture, food processing and agro-based industry sectors through the provision of equipment and appropriate project financing.
He said the programme not only helps boost entrepreneurs' income, but also supports local economic growth and strengthens the state's food supply chain.
In a related development, he informed that his office is currently coordinating the implementation of the third phase of AFF assistance for this year, with new applications to be reviewed and screened by the Department of Agriculture before being considered for approval.
Also present were the Chief of the Economic Bureau for Satok DUN, Sr Mohamad Akram Mohamed Karim, and the Assistant Agricultural Officer for Kuching Division, Shafizan Lasai. -UKASnews
