The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has allocated RM2.3 billion to conduct 57 programmes to assist small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs this year.

Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the programmes would be conducted together with various agencies under the ministry.

"A total of 5,396 SME entrepreneurs would benefit from programmes such as the SME Performance Enhancement and Resilience Programme, Research and Commercialisation Grant, Skima Anjakan Usahawan," he said.

Speaking to reporters after launching the MITI Entrepreneurial Carnival for the Pontian District here today, he hopes SME entrepreneurs would continue to receive help, while other ministries would also assist them in order to create more entrepreneurs.

The Pontian's carnival, which is one of the 57 programmes organised by MITI, attracts diverse groups of local SME entrepreneurs, as well as various government agencies.

An entrepreneur, Noordiana Samudin said the programme enabled her to extend her networking, as well as provide a platform for entrepreneurs to expand the markets for their products. - BERNAMA