SLIM RIVER - The Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry (Kuskop), through the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun), has disbursed RM6.6 million in funding to Orang Asli entrepreneurs in the country since 2008.
Its minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick said the allocation was channeled through the agency's Orang Asli Funding Scheme.
"This year alone a total of RM502,000 has been disbursed to 26 recipients," he told reporters after opening the Perak Orang Asli Cooperative and Entrepreneurs Carnival in conjunction with the International Day of the World's Indigenous People here today.
The event was organized by Kuskop and the Malaysian Institute of Cooperatives (Ikma).
Meanwhile, Ewon said the carnival, held at the Ulu Rasau Orang Asli Village, serves as a platform for Orang Asli entrepreneurs and cooperatives to promote their products.
At the same event, Ewon presented a total of RM292,000 in Tekun funding to 14 Orang Asli entrepreneurs and also handed over a contribution of RM30,000 from Ikma to the Perak Orang Asli Association. - BERNAMA