Government to help more traders through Tekun

By Rizalman Hammim - March 18, 2021 @ 3:50pm

JOHOR BARU: The number of traders in the informal sector is expected to increase because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was because many people lost their jobs and some decided to turn to business to earn an income.

"Based on a survey in 2019, there are about 1.26 million traders in the sector. We believe the number has increased and we are currently doing a new survey," said Wan Junaidi.

He said the ministry will look to assist more traders in the sector through Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga's (Tekun Nasional) Skim Pembiayaan Informal (Spin).

"Last year, Tekun Nasional allocated RM50 million for Spin," said Wan Junaidi.

He was speaking to the media after presenting assistance from agencies under the ministry to entrepreneurs in Johor.

In a statement earlier, Wan Junaidi said Tekun Nasional had allocated an additional RM60 million, especially for Spin.

In today's event, an allocation of RM9 million from various agencies under the ministry was presented to entrepreneurs and cooperatives in the state.