KUALA SELANGOR, Oct 18 — Business equipment provided through the State Government Blueprint programme has breathed new life into 26 rural small-scale traders in the district, helping to streamline their daily operations and boost their income.
The aid, which began distribution early this month, has enabled recipients to upgrade their business equipment, a significant benefit for those who rely solely on daily sales for their livelihood.
For roti canai stall operator Sarina Musa, the assistance, which includes a stove, a stall structure, chairs, and tables is deeply meaningful after 20 years of operating the business alongside her husband.
She said that, throughout those two decades, the only prior support she had received was a flour-grinding machine from the Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK), before securing this Blueprint aid, valued at approximately RM10,000.
“I previously received a flour grinder from the PPK, and this Blueprint equipment aid is the most substantial support I have ever received, worth up to RM10,000.
“I am truly grateful to the village chief and the sub-district head for facilitating this state government assistance,” Sarina told Media Selangor.
She also hopes that the new equipment will help smooth out her business operations and increase her family’s earnings.
“I hope that our livelihood will flourish even more. My thanks go to the village chief, the YB (elected representative), and the sub-district head of Tanjung Karang, who were instrumental in ensuring this application was successful.
“I also hope that such assistance continues, so that more small-scale traders may have the opportunity to improve their standard of living,” Sarina said.
Meanwhile, state executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication Papparaidu Veraman said the programme has successfully met its objective of supporting rural small-scale traders who depend entirely on their businesses as their primary source of income.
He noted that village chiefs and sub-district heads play a crucial role in facilitating the application process and conducting investigations before submissions are made for approval.
“These small-scale traders are the driving force behind the local economy. We hope the government will continue to focus on them, including by providing assistance in the form of equipment and various forms of entrepreneurial training,” Papparaidu said.
For the record, the Selangor Poverty Eradication Blueprint Assistance Programme, introduced in 2008, provides business machinery and equipment worth up to RM10,000 to low-income small-scale entrepreneurs.
The assistance limit was increased from RM5,000 to RM10,000, effective from 2022.
