INSKEN To Ensure Govt Initiatives Reach Sabah, Sarawak Entrepreneurs

KOTA KINABALU, July 22 (Bernama) -- The National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) aims to ensure that government initiatives effectively reach target groups across the country, particularly entrepreneurs in Sabah and Sarawak.

Its chief executive officer Viviantie Sarjuni said this has been her core aspiration since taking the helm of the agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) on July 1.

To realise this, INSKEN will focus on strengthening social enterprise programmes to help bridge socio-economic disparities between Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.

"Sabah has one of the highest unemployment rates and is the poorest state in Malaysia. We hope social enterprises can help address these challenges, even if not entirely,” she told Bernama here today.

She pointed out that 70 per cent of Sabah’s population resides in rural areas and needs to be empowered through social entrepreneurship. INSKEN, she added, plays a vital role in providing guidance and support to entrepreneurs involved in the sector.

Reflecting on her previous role as CEO of the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC), which she led for five years, Viviantie said the centre had successfully connected various players within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“SCENIC is now able to stand on its own. At INSKEN, we want to ensure that federal initiatives on social enterprise also reach Sabah and Sarawak, not just other states,” she said.

She added that entrepreneurship will continue to be a priority under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Since 2015, more than 100,000 entrepreneurs have been trained in Sabah, with a strong focus on micro and informal sectors.

She also acknowledged the contributions of former INSKEN leadership in accrediting 468 social enterprises nationwide, including those in Sabah.

-- BERNAMA