KUALA LUMPUR: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) today launched a programme targetting female entrepreneurs to help support their endeavours.
The programme was launched by Women Entrepreneurship and Professional Development adviser in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, aiming to empower women to stand on their own two feet and be a woman of substance.
“As a woman I can conquer the world, even if I can sell 50 packets of nasi lemak in whichever canteen from this start-up money. One day, if I don’t become a top entrepreneur, my next generation can. Why? This is because of our efforts to help our husbands and families. Without double income in Malaysia and around the world, it’s difficult for a family to survive because of the rising cost of living.
“Women should realise that their contribution to family, community and country is of utmost importance and much appreciated. Women should not stand behind their man, they should stand beside them. It’s not like the old days, where we took the back seat. Today, women have to hold their own wallet and be a successful entrepreneur,” said Shahrizat.
AIM executive chairman Datuk Dr Zubir Harun said the programme was an initiative of the subsidiary company of AIM, with the main mission to create an ecosystem to help entrepreneurs overcome their need to acquire basis necessities to run a business.
Besides that, the programme will also create a networking system for entrepreneurs to rise above the poverty line and increase their socioeconomic status.
“Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (AIMSB) will work with various companies and government agencies to develop an ecosystem which provide for basic essentials such as cooking oil, flour, and rice, at a lower price.
“Within the ecosystem, AIM entrepreneurs can introduce products and services which will help them increase their earnings.
“AIMSB will also select candidates to attend entrepreneurship training. There are five areas which will be targeted – lifestyle, innovation and creativity, information and communications technology (ICT), beauty and health, and food and beverage,” said Zubir.
For the first phase, AIMSB is targeting 4,560 entrepreneurs to benefit from the programme.