MORE business opportunities in the form of licences and contracts will be given to women and those in the villages who have proven to be more successful than men, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Bersatu chairman said they will introduce new business types and opportunities and increase their abilities with training and programmes.

“With regard to employment opportunities in the government and the private sector, those who excel and have extensive experience will be given opportunities.

“Discrimination against women because of who they are will be abolished,” he said at the Bersatu annual general assembly in Putrajaya today.

Dr Mahathir said priority will be given to women entrepreneurs with good business records.

“Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) will be enlarged and will help the women to grow their businesses.

“Those who are successful will be helped again and a competition will be held between them and the prize will be awarded to the most successful one.”

The Langkawi MP also said that the younger generation today are more trained and educated.

“Their experience may be less. But this can be overcome with exposure and working experience.

“The young people in the agricultural industry and businesses will be given special treatment. We also want to make sure that those who are already in these fields succeed,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said that the focus is on the youth because the older generation have difficulties accepting new technology.

“On the contrary, the younger ones are more easy to advise and be nurtured in the new ways.

“We see for example the use of computers and mobile phones are more easily used by the younger generation than the older generation,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said there are good examples of young people in the field of industry, modern agriculture and livestock today.

“Our country relies heavily on goods and food imported from foreign countries. Instead, these goods can be produced in our country.

“The younger generation will be given training and opportunities to enter these areas.

“Starting from working as a labour force, those interested can be given the opportunity and assisted in entering the field, as an entrepreneur.” – December 29, 2018.