National level small traders and hawkers day celebration in Donggongon on Dec 7-9

18 November 2023

By Nabalu News Journalist

PENAMPANG: The National Level Small Traders and Hawkers Day (HPPK) celebration is expected to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on December 7 at Buhavan Square, Donggongon, here.

Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, stated that the inaugural National Level HPPK celebration to be held as a Tamu, will take place for three days from December 7th to 9th.

"Throughout the celebration, we will be holding various events, including exhibitions by government agencies related to entrepreneurship and also agencies under the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry.

"In addition, we will also have sales from entrepreneurs, hawkers, and small traders not only from Sabah but also from Sarawak and the Peninsula," he said.

Ewon, who is also the Penampang Member of Parliament, said Donggongon was chosen as the venue to show appreciation and recognise the small traders and hawkers where they conduct their businesses.

"Donggongon town has several markets, namely Tamu Sangadau, Tamu Mingguan, and Pasar Harian. Therefore, it is appropriate to hold the HPPK celebration at the place where they do business," he said.

He mentioned that the previous national-level HPPK events were organised with a conference theme, but this year it will be organised as a 'carnival' of sales by small traders and hawkers.

"We will also be organising the Showcase 1 District 1 Industry (SDSI), which is one of KUSKOP's programs, concurrently with the HPPK celebration for three days in Donggongon," he said.

Regarding the number of small traders and hawkers nationwide, Ewon stated that it is estimated that there are one million traders categorized as hawkers, conducting business in markets, outside school buildings, and along the streets.

"Therefore, the ministry has developed the Informal Entrepreneur Formalisation Plan because most of these entrepreneurs do not have licenses.

"Through this plan, we encourage them to register and obtain business licenses to have better access to entrepreneurial financing facilities provided by ministry agencies," he said.

Ewon hopes that with the organisation of HPPK in market areas, it will raise awareness among this group to transition from informal entrepreneurs to formal entrepreneurs.

"With this data, it will be easier for us to know the actual number of entrepreneurs and small traders nationwide, allowing the ministry to develop better policies, programs, and budgets for the benefit of this group," he said.

He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for allocating RM20 million in the 2024 Budget to implement the Village Market Project.

"I have submitted a request to the ministry for a budget to build infrastructure facilities and entrepreneurial stalls for vendors from the rural areas."

"They have allocated a certain amount of funding for us to implement the Village Market Project in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak."

"This is a new programme under my ministry after I was given the mandate to lead it," he said, adding that he will be visiting market areas throughout Sabah that require infrastructure buildings such as stalls, to be implemented next year.