In a bid to assist local entrepreneurs affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry has submitted 19 new programmes and initiatives to the Finance Ministry for special attention. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the initiatives were submitted to the Finance Minister during a meeting to discuss ideas on reviving local businesses.
Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi, who was accompanied by senior officials and agencies under the ministry, also said he had asked the finance minister to consider an application for additional funding for Tekun Nasional and several agencies under the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry. Citing a figure by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), Datuk an Junaidi estimated that 2.4 million people will lose their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemicc. “Not only does this epidemic affect the health and lives of Malaysians, but it also has a direct impact on almost all types of occupations in our country. Clearly, workers are facing a huge challenge in the era of the Covid-19 outbreak, ” he said.
Datuk Wan Junaidi added that it is a difficult period for Malaysia as many industries and businesses are not operating as usual due to unprecedented measures required to stem the outbreak of Covid-19. “Although some sectors are allowed to operate, limited business opportunities have forced employers to consider options to reduce operating cost, ” he said.
