Bumiputera entrepreneurial success still low, says Tajuddin

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman says a continued reliance on subsidies will not guarantee long-term success for Bumiputera entrepreneurs. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 20, 2016.The success rate of Malay and Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the country is still low, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

He said only 20% of the estimated 11,000 Malay and Bumiputera entrepreneurs registered with the agro-based industry division had managed to penetrate the international market.

"We have helped many entrepreneurs and they should have been able to export their products and make business worth thousands or even millions of ringgit," he said.

Tajuddin, who is also Pasir Salak MP, was speaking to reporters after a working visit to the Latipah Sos factory and Jus Gelugur entrepreneur workshop in Seberang Perak today.

He said it was regrettable that there was a handful of entrepreneurs who were too complacent and lazy to continue being successful because they thought it was their right to receive government subsidies and aid.

"Their survival mode is solely based on subsidies and this certainly will not guarantee their success to be entrepreneurs in the long term like other races," said Tajuddin.

Meanwhile agro-based industry division secretary Norison Ramli said the ministry targeted an annual increase of 5% to 10% in the export market for the products of Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

She said at present, 20% of the estimated 11,000 successful entrepreneurs had marketed their products to several Asean countries such as Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam.

At the ministry's level, she said these entrepreneurs were also being
assisted to expand their business networks to Australia, China, Japan and Dubai through the agro bazaar. – Bernama, February 20, 2016.