Prime Minister Najib Razak noted that a special border economic zone has been earmarked for Bukit Kayu Hitam.

“The zone has a total area of 4,856ha. This area will be given special incentives and will be linked to southern Thailand.

“So, our small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can export their products to Thailand while Thai products can be brought into Malaysia,” he said here today when addressing 14,000 Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

Najib said the government would also create a Rubber City, covering 6,070ha in Padang Terap, which would create jobs and help the downstream sector.

The prime minister said the Kedah government also has a fund for SMEs and intended to distribute it in the form of loans, amounting to RM8 million. He proposed that the funding be converted into grants.

Other initiatives to assist Bumiputera entrepreneurs include the 1AZAM programme that has benefited 200,000 participants so far.

In addition, 49,000 entrepreneurs have directly benefited from the eRezeki and eUsahawan programmes, while the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun) has provided financing worth RM4.67 billion to 385,000 entrepreneurs.

In an effort to empower Bumiputera women entrepreneurs, the government has disbursed funds to them through microcredit facility Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).

Najib said AIM was synonymous with women entrepreneurs following its formation in 1987 as it had provided them with a lot of assistance.

At the gathering, Najib also witnessed the exchange of memoranda of understanding between SME Corp and Johor Corp, Mara, Malaysia Airlines, Petroliam Nasional Bhd, PUNB and Lembaga Tabung Haji to spur the development of Bumiputera SMEs.