MIRI – An intensive entrepreneurial initiative designed to equip young Sarawakians with vital business skills is set to commence its second session next month. The Sarawak Youth Startup (SYStartup) programme will be held from 8 to 15 November in Miri, focusing on creating a new generation of competitive business owners.
The scheme, orchestrated by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, offers a comprehensive curriculum for individuals aged between 18 and 40.
Its primary objective is to deepen participants’ understanding of modern business practices and foster a robust startup culture within the state. This effort is a key part of a broader strategy to bolster economic resilience from the ground up.
Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, the Deputy Minister for the portfolio, underscored the programme’s significance during a recent press briefing in Kuching.
He explained that the initiative is strategically designed to motivate more young people to pursue business ownership. A central tenet of the training is the critical role of intellectual capital in achieving commercial success.
Officials emphasise that the programme is vital for shaping a demographic of youth capable of generating new employment opportunities, thereby directly contributing to regional economic expansion.
The deputy minister articulated a clear vision for the outcome, stating a desire to cultivate more job creators rather than job seekers. This ambition is closely aligned with the state’s overarching economic blueprint, the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
The upcoming November cohort is anticipated to attract between 150 and 200 aspiring entrepreneurs. The syllabus has been carefully constructed to cover a wide array of essential topics. Participants will receive instruction on entrepreneurial motivation, the procedural details of business registration and licensing, and the fundamentals of building a strong brand identity.
Further modules will delve into financial management and basic accounting principles, ensuring founders can maintain sound fiscal health for their ventures.
In response to modern digital threats, the programme will also include crucial awareness training about prevalent online scams, protecting future businesses from inception.
Authorities are actively encouraging eligible youth to submit their applications before the deadline on 30 October. Interested individuals can register through the ministry’s official portal or by scanning a provided QR code for direct access.
The SYStartup programme represents a concrete investment in Sarawak’s human capital, aiming to unlock the innovative potential of its younger population and steer them towards becoming key drivers of the state’s future prosperity.
