Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed a comprehensive Bumiputera economic development policy aimed at driving and empowering Bumiputera enterprises holistically.
The proposal, revealed at the Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024, seeks to elevate Bumiputera businesses to a higher and global level, ensuring their ownership and dominance in the economy while enabling entrepreneurs to benefit on a larger scale.
“Since the first Bumiputera Economic Congress (KEB) was held, many traders have benefited from the government’s efforts in encouraging and stimulating Bumiputera to engage in business.
“There is no doubt that many successful and outstanding entrepreneurs have been born since KEB 1965,” he said.
With the first Bumiputera Economic Congress in 1965 leading to the establishment of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), the proposal aims to build upon past successes and propel Bumiputera economic development forward.
Ahmad Zahid said as of last January, 29.8 per cent or 357,863 of the total number of registered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PMKS) were owned by Bumiputera.
He also emphasised the necessity of developing a dashboard for Bumiputera entrepreneurs during the Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024. This dashboard would enable entrepreneurs to identify structured and targeted programs aimed at enhancing their companies’ capabilities.
Additionally, it would prevent companies from receiving duplicate assistance from various agencies, ensuring optimal resource allocation.
KEB 2024 aims to empower the Bumiputera agenda across ten national economic groups. This initiative aligns with the Madani government’s commitment to revitalising and advancing the socio-economic development of the Bumiputera community, fostering progressive and innovative growth.
