LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS THRIVE UNDER SDSI PROGRAMME, SALES JUMP BY OVER 20 PCT - EWON

TAWAU, May 10 (Bernama) -- A total of 90 per cent of local entrepreneurs who participated in the government’s long-running One District One Industry (SDSI) Programme under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP) nationwide have managed to increase the sales value of their products by at least 20 percent.

Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said that at the heart of this success are inspiring stories like Koperasi Desa Gedok Gemenceh, a rendang maman producer from Negeri Sembilan, which recorded a staggering 77 per cent rise in sales and income.

Over in Sabah, he said Koperasi Kumpulan Walit Kanibongan Berhad (Kokuwa), a bird's nest enterprise, saw its annual sales grow by 33.4 per cent in 2023 alone.

“These are achievements we are truly proud of. We at KUSKOP really want to see more local entrepreneurs replicate this kind of success.

“As such, KUSKOP will continue to support the implementation of the SDSI Programme and has already submitted a funding proposal under the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030) to ensure SDSI continues to expand and empower rural businesses,” he told reporters after officiating the SDSI 2.0 Showcase for Borneo Region at the 2025 MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) Sabah venue here today.

Also present were Sabah Assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, and KUSKOP secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

The SDSI Programme, originally launched in 1992 as the One Village One Product initiative, focuses on developing community-based economies by promoting distinctive regional industries and products.

Meanwhile, expectations are high at PMR 2025 Sabah, a three-day event aimed at showcasing local products.

Nevertheless, Ewon said the ministry is optimistic about meeting its sales target of RM1.5 million, bolstered by an impressive 26,320 visitors on the first day alone.

“With such an enthusiastic turnout, we are hopeful we will reach our overall sales target, which includes direct sales, business matching, and sales from entrepreneurs and cooperatives,” he said.

To further support local businesses, Ewon announced that KUSKOP has disbursed RM1.5 million to the Sabah Department of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship to strengthen entrepreneurial initiatives in the state.

-- BERNAMA