By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, June 20 — The Indian Selangor Empowerment and Entrepreneurs Development (I-Seed) programme aimed at improving the Indian community's lives has been followed by the Penang state government.
State executive councillor for socio-economic development V Ganabatirau said he was informed of the fact during a discussion session with its Chief Minister Chon Kon Yeow and Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P Ramasamy, on June 16.
"They invited me together with the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) to their briefing. The Penang government is forming a committee to implement a programme similar to I-Seed.
"In the briefing, the Selangor government provided an explanation on the I-Seed programme, how it began and the ongoing process," he said during a press conference at the Selangor State Secretariat Building earlier today.
I-Seed, which was launched on April 7 last year, involves a RM1.7 million fund aimed at increasing the economic level of the Indian community via grants for equipment aid, which is a necessity for their businesses.
Among the conditions are that applicants must be native Selangor residents or have resided in the state for over 10 years, with an individual or household income of RM3,000 a month, and must operate their business in Selangor.
The applying business must also be active and consistent, with the applicant or couple (husband/wife) never having received equipment aid under the Selangor Poverty Eradication Blueprint aid programme or the Selangor Micro Entrepreneur Fund.
