Mahdzir (centre) taking a closer look at a car engine after launching the Alor Star event on Sunday. — Bernama
ALOR STAR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has spent about RM70 million through the Mara Integrated Smart Auto initiative to help entrepreneurs in the automotive field expand their enterprises since it was first introduced in 2013.Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said so far, 48 automotive entrepreneurs nationwide had benefited from the programme, which offered a maximum funding limit of RM1mil.
"Mara’s complete ecosystem in developing the automotive industry starts with technical education and vocational training, which provides automotive programmes at various levels up to the provision of entrepreneurship facilities, training, financing assistance and advisory services.
"In fact, a special financing scheme for automotive entrepreneurs through Mara Integrated Smart Auto is also provided specifically for entrepreneurs to help them expand their businesses and upgrade their workshops," he told reporters after launching a business service centre here on Sunday.
He said several special programmes were also developed to further strengthen entrepreneurs in the field, including the Mara-Petronas Automotive Entrepreneur Development programme, the Auto Glass Expert programme and various entrepreneurship courses.
Mahdzir said the automotive sector was one of the vocational fields that attracted many people as it aims to produce a professional and skilled workforce, and guide individuals who were interested in becoming automotive entrepreneurs.
