Sabah to consider setting up a Federal, State coordinating committee for entrepreneurial development

Ewon (left) presenting a memento to Masidi (right)

27 March 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun met with Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick at Menara Kinabalu today to discuss ways to enhance the state’s entrepreneurial development.

During the courtesy call, Ewon informed Masidi of the various federal agencies that offer services and assistance to Sabah in this sector.

Both ministers agreed that Sabah should follow Sarawak’s example of establishing a Federal/State coordinating committee co-chaired by a state minister and the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative.

This include officers of all the agencies are represented during periodical meetings.

Masidi explained that the Committee would also act as one-stop secretariat to disseminate relevant information to all Sabahans so that they can make full use of the services and assistance offered by federal agencies.

Meanwhile, Ewon stated that there are 66 agencies involved in entrepreneurial development, each with its own budget allocation, initiatives and programmes catering to their respective target communities and such a committee should streamline all of them to better serve and help the people in Sabah in line with the State government's direction.

"However, the setting up of this committee requires the State Cabinet's decision and I sincerely hope that the matter will be brought up for discussion and a decision can be made soon.

"On my part, I will give full support and cooperation to the State Government to support the state's agenda," said Ewon who is also the Penampang MP and Kadamaian state assemblyman.