KUCHING: Sarawak women entrepreneurs need to be continuously empowered to expand their participation in economic development, including access to financing, upskilling, and business expansion opportunities.

Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said that support for women entrepreneurs not only helps increase family incomes but also opens up opportunities for them to expand their businesses and achieve economic independence.

“In the Premier's announcement, RM25 million was allocated for women entrepreneurs. We are very happy and thankful to the Premier for giving attention to this group,” she said.

She said this during a press conference on the NAWEM International Forum on Inclusive Growth 2027 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex on Tuesday.

According to her, women from the B40 category are also provided with support through skills training that enables them to generate income, in addition to government grants to help start businesses.

She added that these opportunities are especially important for female heads of households who must support their families, as well as those striving to improve their economic standing through their own enterprises.

In light of this, she expressed hope that local women entrepreneurs would leverage the NAWEM International Forum to expand their business networks, gain knowledge, and explore market opportunities through partnerships with industry players from within the country and abroad.

The forum, organised by the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM) in collaboration with Tanoti Sdn Bhd, is scheduled to take place from January 27 to 29, 2027, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), targeting the participation of approximately 1,000 delegates from Malaysia and overseas.

Also present were Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tanoti Sdn Bhd cum Organising Chairperson of the NAWEM International Forum on Inclusive Growth 2027 Dato’ Jacqueline Fong, Chairperson of NAWEM Sarawak Dr. Dianne Tsen Shoon Cheen, Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) Jason Tan, and Director of Sales and Marketing at BCCK Eric Chuo, representing its Chief Operating Officer David Bareng. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Marisa
Photos: Naseem
Translator: Ryan Lim