THE Rural and Regional Development Ministry will set up a secretariat to look into incentives for entrepreneurs in rural areas, says minister Rina Harun.

She said that the secretariat is to ensure that the funds will only go to those deserving and will not be abused.

“We want to ensure that the incentives for the entrepreneurs are given to the right people.

“We don’t want to give the incentives to those who are not interested,” she said in Putrajaya today.

Rina also said the government doesn’t want to see the incentives abused.

“For example we give the incentives for them to buy farming equipment but then they lost interest and sell off the machines.

“We want the rural entrepreneurs to be more responsible.”

Rina said that the incentives are to encourage more youths in the villages to become entrepreneurs. 

“These incentives are to prevent the youths from migrating to the city. 

“We want to create more young entrepreneurs so they will be able to develop their villages.”

To increase productivity in the villages, Rina said that the ministry is planning to organise an international conference and exhibition on machine automation.

“This is for the small and medium industries to help the rural entrepreneurs. They will be exposed to new technology that will help increase their productivity.

“We don’t want them to be reliant on traditional methods.”

Rina added that they will continue to disseminate information to the rural entrepreneurs.

“The rural entrepreneurs will not be left behind. We will confine to provide information on the various incentives.” – June 27, 2018.