RM10 mln allocated by Rural Development Ministry for income-generating programme this year

Its Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said that the allocation would enable the target group in the rural B40 group to receive equipment and training to assist their businesses and boost their incomes.

"The programme also helps small-time entrepreneurs own their own kiosks to run their businesses. This is implemented through the Warung Desa@KPLB Assistance under the programme," he said in a statement here today.

Mahdzir said programme participants will receive equipment assistance with a maximum cost of up to RM10,000 each. Last year some 564 people benefitted from the programme.

This year, Mahdzir said the ministry aims to assist 950 participants through the ministry's agencies nationwide.

"This includes the WarungDesa@KPLB assistance given to 300 recipients totalling RM2 million," he said.

On the Warung Desa@KPLB assistance in the state, Mahdzir said that for the first phase of this year, a total of 15 entrepreneurs will receive assistance with a total value of RM75,000.

"For a start, the Warung Desa@KPLB programme in the state will be implemented by the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) in two locations, namely, Padang Terap and Sungai Petani this year," he added.