By Sheeda Fathil
KLANG, June 14 — A total of 175 individuals from nine districts have received assistance through the Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs Development and Empowerment Programme (I-Seed) this year.
State socioeconomic development executive councillor V Ganabatirau said that overall, 639 individuals have been recipients of business equipment assistance over a three-year period since 2021, with a funding amount of over RM3.34 million.
"I hope that today's recipients can undergo a paradigm shift in increasing their incomes to support themselves and their families towards more comfortable lives.
"I also urge all recipients to fully utilise this assistance and hope that it can continue to serve as a platform for Selangor's development," he said.
He made these remarks when speaking to the media after the handover ceremony of the Poverty Eradication Blueprint Programme and I-Seed at the Klang District and Land office here today.
Ganabatirau also mentioned that the programme has successfully aided entrepreneurs, particularly in the post-pandemic and flood periods.
The I-Seed programme was launched in April 2021 with the aim of improving the economic status of the Indian community through the provision of equipment based on their respective businesses.
Among the eligibility criteria are being a resident or having resided in Selangor for more than 10 years, having a household income of less than RM3,000 per month, and operating a business within the state.
Similarly, Ganabatirau also revealed that a total of 3,256 participants had received assistance in the form of business equipment through the Selangor State Poverty Eradication Blueprint Assistance Programme from 2016 up to June this year.
He said that a total of RM13,598,420 was disbursed during this period to ensure that participants receive the appropriate assistance.
"This represents a significant allocation expended by the state government. For the year 2023 alone, 334 applications have been approved in nine districts.
"We continually strive to improve the programme over time to ensure that it achieves its objectives," he said.
The Selangor state government provides funding for programmes supporting traders, including empowerment courses. They offer specific assistance, such as equipment or machinery, to street vendors, traders and self-employed individuals.
