The government will soon roll out a new franchise-related initiative aimed at supporting the development of the Indian community, said Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan.
The programme, the first of its kind, was developed by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) under Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (PERNAS) and is scheduled for launch later this month.
YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan said the initiative will provide Indian entrepreneurs with greater opportunities to participate in the franchise sector, either as franchisors or franchisees, with financial backing and support from the ministry.
“This is an opportunity for them to participate in the franchise sector, something that has not been accessible to them before. I hope they will take this chance to grow their businesses and bring benefits to the community”, he told the reporters after officiating the Eighth ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum.
He added that the programme was made possible through the efforts of KUSKOP Secretary-General Datuk Seri Khairul Azaimee Daud and ministry staff, who worked extensively to develop the initiative .
Support for Temples and Tamil Schools
Apart from entrepreneurship development, Dato Ramanan, who also oversees projects involving temples and Tamil schools, said his team is compiling a list of temples to expedite upgrades and maintenance works.
On education, he noted that allocations for Tamil vernacular schools have been fully utilized, including funding for ICT laboratories and the construction of six new schools, and carried out in close collaboration with the Education Ministry.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier announced RM5 million for ICT laboratory upgrades in Tamil schools and RM20 million to empower Hindu temples as community centres under the Dharma Madani Programme.
ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum
Speaking at the ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum, Dato Ramanan also highlighted the launch of the Capacity Building and Talent Development Framework for Inclusive Business in ASEAN, a roadmap designed to help member states adopt inclusive business models and development talent effectively.
He emphasised that Inclusive Business (IB) and Social Enterprise (SE) play a vital role in strengthening ASEAN’s economic resilience by creating not only profits, but also opportunities, dignity, and hope for underserved communities.
Malaysia, he said is committed to advancing these goals under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). By 2030, the government aims to implement the Malaysia Inclusive Business Action Plan, which will include targeted incentives, recognition of 100 companies adopting IB models, and involvement of at least 5,000 B40 beneficiaries in IB-related ventures.
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