KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will come up with a Social Enterprise Blueprint for Sabah next year.
State Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim said the blueprint will promote and accelerate the growth and enhancement of social enterprise (SE) activities.
"It is hoped that through this blueprint, this sector can make an effective contribution to the state's development and have a global impact.
"The state government will continue to support and assist social enterprises because this sector contributes to the social innovation and socio-economic development agenda of the country.
"The ministry also hopes that a large number of existing social enterprises with good innovations, products, and services, especially in Sabah, can thrive through programs such as the Community Hub - Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and SEWF Kota Kinabalu," he said in a statement, referring to the recent SEWF23 Community Hub event.
Hanafiah added that SEWF23 successfully generated interest, brought education, and raised further awareness about social innovation.
The event, which was held at Sabah International Convention Centre, is a collaboration between Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) and SEWF Amsterdam to bring diverse perspectives from around the world to the community, especially in Sabah.
SCENIC general manager Viviantie Sarjuni said the success of collaborating with international entities like SEWF Amsterdam is crucial in bringing foreign investment opportunities to assist social innovation and social enterprises in Sabah.
Transforming its status as one of the poorest states in Malaysia may be achieved through social innovation and social enterprise, ensuring that grassroots economics remain active and field challenges can be addressed with technology and innovation.
SEWF23 Community Hub Kota Kinabalu is not only a focal point at the national level in Malaysia but also one of the 25 countries that successfully obtained a SEWF broadcasting licence from Amsterdam.
The SEWF23 Community Hub Kota Kinabalu initiative receives full support from the state Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry and is also supported by other entities such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR), Sabah Tourism Board, and Qhazanah Sabah Bhd.
Organisations that actively work at the grassroots level, such as the Sabah Techpreneur Association (SATA) and Sabah Social Entrepreneur & Eco Development (SEED), and MEREKA also contributed to the launch of this programme.
