MEDAC allocates RM1.5 million for Mega Raya Festival Entrepreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) has allocated RM1.5 million  for distribution to over 1,000 entrepreneurs who are involved in the mega Raya festival events in the federal capital.

Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said the financial assistance was for traders participating in the mega festival at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and the StarVendors Mega Raya Fest, at the World Trade Centre (WTC).

He said the move was taken to stimulate and revive entrepreneurial spirit after the negative effects of COVID-19 on business in the past two years 

"It is also hoped that the small contribution will help ease their burden and enable them to sell their goods at a cheaper price," he said when met after officiating the StarVendors Mega Raya Fest Festival at WTC today.

The StarVendors Mega Raya Fest being organised for three days,  beginning from 9am yesterday until 12 noon on Monday is aimed to set a new record as a non-stop 75-hour shopping event.

The programme would see the participation of 55 local celebrities who would also be selling their own range of products. Among them are Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Datuk AC Mizal, Datuk Seri Vida, Datuk Aliff Syukri, Hairul Azreen, Hanis Zalikha, Fazura, Fattah Amin, Shahiezy Sam and Syatila Melvin.

Earlier in 2019, the event which ran for 72 hours attracted some 1.2 million visitors.

In another development, Noh said entrepreneurs who were affected by the floods, each received RM3,000 through the Malaysian Family Flood Relief Grant (BBKM).

At the same time, the ministry is expediting payment to another 59 entrepreneurs who were also affected by the recent floods and had applied for loan through SME Corp, he added.

-- BERNAMA