Rim Leverages Community Tourism, Local Industries To Drive Economic Growth

JASIN, June 21 (Bernama) -- The Rim state constituency is leveraging community tourism and local industries to strengthen the rural economy and create more income-generating opportunities for residents.

Rim assemblyman Datuk Khaidirah Abu Zahar said efforts are centred on three key areas, namely housing, education and economic development, to improve residents' quality of life and socio-economic well-being.

Among the initiatives is the annual Jamboree Mountain Bike Challenge, now in its third year, which has attracted more than 1,000 participants, including from Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

"The programme not only promotes Rim as a community tourism destination but also generates economic spillover benefits for homestay operators, eateries and local entrepreneurs," she told reporters after the launch of the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) programme at the Jasin parliamentary constituency level here today.

Khaidirah said Rim has also partnered with higher learning institutions through programmes such as Baktisiswa, which expose participants from outside Melaka to the area's attractions and locally made products.

She said the constituency has strong economic potential in sectors such as batik production, chilli-based products, corn and pineapple cultivation, traditional food businesses and homestays.

"We want rural communities not only to enjoy a better quality of life but also to improve their economic standing and social well-being.

"Most importantly, the value of rural living should be recognised as a unique strength because rural areas possess tremendous untapped potential," she said.

Khaidirah said her office is also working closely with agencies such as the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) to help local entrepreneurs improve product quality, strengthen marketing efforts and expand market access.

"We want more agencies to come to the ground, identify existing potential and assist small entrepreneurs, many of whom operate independently, so they can grow further," she said.

-- BERNAMA