BN Manifesto: RM 1 billion for halal development fund





KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) --Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has pledged to stimulate the Halal Economy as a growth driver of the country's economy with an allocation of RM1 billion for the Halal Development Fund.

Najib, who is Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the allocation could be utilised by Bumiputera entrepreneurs who also acts as the main driver of the industry.

This is among the promises contained in the Barisan Nasional (BN) Manifesto for the 14th General Election (GE14) with the theme 'With BN, For A Greater Nation' unveiled by Najib here today.

These include:

- Stimulating the Halal Economy as a growth driver of the country's economy, with an allocation of RM1 billion through the Halal Development Fund.

- Enhancing the contribution of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the national economy through digital transformation by providing grants and credit guarantee opportunities to expand access to new international markets.

- Supporting food truck businesses by creating special areas for them to do business and instituting programmes for vehicle modification.

- Increasing the number of Perbadanan Perwira Niaga Malaysia (PERNAMA) retail outlets for the convenience of armed forces personnel to buy daily necessities at low prices.

- Ensuring Malaysia becomes a leader in the global halal industry with Bumiputeras as the main industry drivers.

- Integrating data on Bumiputera entrepreneurs who receive government initiatives based on the Teraju Xchange platform.

- Building more Urban Transformation Centres (UTC) and Rural Transformation Centres (RTC) throughout the country to improve the efficiency of the government's delivery system, facilitate public dealing and help small entrepreneurs.

- Providing tax incentives and special development funds to encourage leading brands to assist the growth of small enterprises.

- Addressing urban poverty by developing business centres for small enterprises and food trucks as well as encouraging urban agriculture.

- Introducing the Orang-E portal as a platform for Malaysians to monetise their talents and services in the market.

- Continuing efforts to develop the small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector to assist Chinese entrepreneurs by strengthening the role and function of the Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysian Entrepreneurs (SAME).

- Improving the productivity of entrepreneurs, inventors and start-up firms by establishing various facilitation agencies such as PlatCom.

- Realising the true potential of the creative industry as a new source of income for the country by expanding platforms and allocating funds for industry practitioners.

- Providing the Micro Financing Scheme for Veteran Entrepreneurs (SPMUV) to assist armed forces retires in setting up a business.

-- BERNAMA