Database on Sabah Bumi entrepreneurs ready by end-2016: Abdul Rahman

A database on Bumiputera entrepreneurs in Sabah is expected to be ready by the end of next year, says Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

Abdul Rahman, who is also chairman of the Bumiputera Economic Council's (MEB) special committee for the natives of Sabah and Sarawak, said the database by the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) will provide detailed statistics to enable the formulation of more targeted policies to overcome the problems faced by Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

MEB wants the agencies concerned to quickly convey information, such as on Bumiputera firms using licences issued by local authorites, to entrepreneurs especially those in rural areas, he said after chairing a meeting of the committee, Friday.

These entrepreneurs should also be given counselling on bank loans, he said, adding the RM15 million special allocation for the state under Budget 2015 is for their training and working capital while a RM500,000 fund was also set aside for the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Abdul Rahman said a vendor programme will be introduced to ensure Sabah Bumiputeras get adequate opportunities and information related to government projects allocated to Bumiputeras.