TAWAU, Thirty-five micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs in the district received assistance in the form of business equipment with a maximum value of RM20,000 each under the SME-Up Aid programme last year. Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Assistant Minister Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryadi Bandy said with a total allocation of RM15 million the programme is designed to assist Sabah entrepreneurs in the local product manufacturing sector. He said that the programme extends to offering the entrepreneurs aid in acquiring machinery and equipment, improving packaging, adopting digitalisation, as well as facilitating their applications for Makanan Selamat Tanggungjawab Industri or MeSTI and halal certificates. 'Recipients of the programme include local furniture producers, keropok amplang manufacturers, and meatball makers,' he told reporters after the launch of the Sabah MSME Carnival here today. The Tanjung Batu assemblyman urged eligible entrepreneurs to register through the SM E DIDR portal, as the application process will open later this year. Meanwhile, he said a Small and Medium Industry Product Centre (IKS Mart) would be established in the Kalabakan parliamentary constituency this year, offering MSME entrepreneurs a platform to promote their products more effectively and boost their income. Source: BERNAMA News Agency