LOCAL Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said RM10 million has been allocated for the Urban Community Economic Empowerment (PEKB) programme this year to guide those from the urban B40 group to run businesses.

Nga said the allocation will be used for the PEKB entrepreneurship training programme, which has 835 participants.

“Training will be given with the aim of improving the skills of the participants so they are able to run businesses that produce higher earnings, and as a result, help them exit poverty.

Since its implementation in 2013, PEKB has trained 16,515 entrepreneurs who run various types of businesses and are able to generate an income of at least RM600 a month, he told reporters after officiating the 2023 Urban Community Entrepreneurs’ Merdeka Sale in Putrajaya today.

He said under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the government has allocated RM55 million to train 4,835 entrepreneurs among the urban B40 under the PEKB programme.

“We work with 28 civil society groups to train and monitor the business activities of these entrepreneurs. The groups will monitor their business activities for six months to ensure participants can generate an income of at least RM600 per month,” he said.

Participants are given business equipment upon completion of the course.

Malaysian Creative Sewing Arts Association chairman Fully Chye, 56, said the association provides training to participants interested in producing eco-printed fabrics.

“Entrepreneurs who are interested in this creative art will be taught how to print on fabric using leaves. We will guide them until the participants are really skilled and can produce quality products to sell,” she said, adding there were participants who managed to generate an income of up to RM3,000 a month. – Bernama, August 23, 2023.