MARA PREMISES ENTREPRENEURS RECORD RM1.8 BLN IN SALES FOR 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, July  22 (Bernama) -- Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has successfully cultivated an entrepreneurial mindset among the tenants of its premises, resulting in a sales performance of RM1.8 billion for the year 2023.

Its chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said this performance has contributed to the country's economic growth and created job opportunities for 14,409 people.

"One of our primary goals is to transform and enhance MARA premises across Malaysia, thereby changing public perception and demonstrating their viability and potential for the future.

"It is crucial for us to empower and improve the image of these premises so that tenants can benefit from the low rental rates we offer, which are significantly below market rates," he said at the Penyewa MARA Se-Malaysia 2024 Convention here today.

Regarding the exit policy for premises still rented out to successful entrepreneurs, Asyraf Wajdi said both parties must understand MARA's primary goal, which is to assist new entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses.

"There must be a point at which those who have succeeded in their businesses, acknowledge their success and understand the need to provide opportunities for new entrepreneurs," he said.

He said MARA cannot indefinitely provide premises and additional development allocations throughout Malaysia, adding that this convention aims to raise awareness among MARA tenants about the necessity of vacating premises to make room for new businesses.

On today's convention, he highlighted that the inaugural event, which brought together 600 MARA tenants from across the country, aimed to facilitate face-to-face interactions and exchange of views to expand their business networks.

Also present were MARA director-general Datuk Seri Azhar Abdul Manaf and deputy director-general (Entrepreneurship) Datuk Zulfikri Osman.

-- BERNAMA