SIMUNJAN (Sarawak), Oct 31 — At 59, Jamilah Ibur strongly believes it is still not to late to seriously go into business, a long time dream for her.
Fortunately for Jamilah, her wish to start a food shop business was achieved last year when she was offered a lot at Anjung Usahawan Gedong, an entrepreneur development centre set up in Kampung Gedong, Simunjan since 2018, with the aim to accelerate socio-economic transformation as well as support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak.
“I had always wanted to open a food stall and had been looking for a place to rent for quite some time. It is difficult to find a suitable location so when I got the offer, it was a godsend,“ she told Bernama when met recently.
Anjung Usahawan Gedong was one of the initiatives taken by the Sarawak government to provide a centre for entrepreneurs by setting up 22 business lots for the convenience of residents in Gedong and the surrounding areas.
Over the past few years the centre had been an optional facility for other economic activities in Gedong area which is situated some 90 kilometres from Kuching city.
Apart from her keen interest in cooking, Jamilah, a native of Kampung Gedong said her desire to go into business grew as she wanted to increase the family’s income after her husband retired a few years ago.
“It is never too late, what matters is to earn some money and attract more customers to the stall especially during weekends and public holidays,” said Jamilah who operates a mixed rice shop selling a variety of Sarawak and prawn dishes.
Another trader at Anjung Usahawan Gedong, Nur Faten Amira Mohd Johnson, 31, said she is thankful as her income had increased after moving her business here six months ago.
“Before this I used to sell Malay cakes, roti canai and nasi lemak from home and earned very little compared to what I am getting now,” she said.
Meanwhile, Koperasi Premier Gedong Berhad chairman Tambi Dan said the centre equipped with e-commerce facilities also provides internet services and has an ATM machine.
Tambi said Anjung Usahawan Gedong was developed by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) to replace an old market place and presently the presence of the shoplots has brighten up the area.
“With the installation of an ATM machine at the centre, residents here need not travel 30km to get to Serian or Simunjan town about 22km away, to withdraw money or do other transactions,” he said.
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who visited Gedong recently, said Anjung Usahawan Gedong was a project developed to help facilitate local entrepreneurs by providing them a comfortable place to do business apart from equipping them with entrepreneurship skills.
He said the focus was on improving the capacity and capability of the local entrepreneurs such as in food processing, craft making, weaving and product development and to stimulate economic activities in the surrounding areas.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency