KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): The government will create a database that contains all the information about micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs or PMKS) under 66 agencies and institutions in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision, which was made in the 2023 National Entrepreneur Development and PMKS Council meeting on Thursday (March 30), aims to ensure proper data sharing and information coordination.

"It is to ensure that any form of training, monitoring, loans and grant funds can be coordinated, so that there is no overlap," he said after chairing the meeting in the Parliament building here.

He said the meeting also decided that entrepreneurs in Sabah and Sarawak should be given priority by developing their talent and potential, as well as channelling sufficient funds to carry out the entrepreneur creation programme, including simplifying the registration process.

Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said the coordination of vendor entrepreneurs must be done to ensure that the country's achievement in the MSME sector is higher than the current rate of 37%.

In addition, he said an e-commerce network is needed to create a new market for products and services produced by MSMEs.

The council was formed as the main platform for discussing programmes and initiatives for the development of entrepreneurs and MSMEs in line with the aspirations of the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030.

The meeting was the first one held after the formation of the unity government.