Ramanan (third from left) receiving a token of appreciation after launching the Onam Vannallo 3.0 event in Petaling Jaya. — Bernama
A NEW initiative to economically empower and strengthen the Indian community is expected to be announced soon by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said a meeting had been scheduled to discuss the issue before an official announcement was made.
“I will hold another meeting to review key issues prior to the announcement,” he said in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Ramanan was speaking to reporters after launching the Onam Vannallo 3.0 programme organised by Selangor and Federal Territory Malayalee Association (SFTMA) in collaboration with Yayasan Bank Rakyat, as reported by Bernama.
Present were Yayasan Bank Rakyat general manager Syaiful Rizal Abdul Ghani, programme organising committee chairman Datin Seri Shaila Nair and more than 800 participants.
Ramanan said that following the successful launch of three special initiatives to boost business for Indian entrepreneurs in the past four months, he had identified another initiative that could greatly boost economic prospects.
“My primary mission is to empower the Indian community’s economy,” he said.
The first three initiatives are the RM30mil Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Financing Empowerment Scheme (Spumi Goes Big) through the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional); RM50mil Prosperity, Empowerment and a New Normal (PENN) under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia aimed at empowering Indian women; and RM50mil Bank Rakyat Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i (BRIEF-i) under Bank Rakyat.
Ramanan, who is Sungai Buloh MP, reiterated that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, prioritised racial unity as its core principle in line with the Malaysia Madani vision.
“This is the strength of the unity government today.
“Racial harmony is our guiding principle to ensure the hopes of all communities are fulfilled,” Ramanan added.
