BANGI, Nov 23 (Bernama) – The government, via the Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia (SMECorp), will allocate RM321.8 million to finance 53 entrepreneur development programme next year, says Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri MuhyuddinYassin.

He said 36,323 small-and-medium entrepreneurs would benefit from the programmes aimed at sharpening their skills and capabilities.

“The training will focus on equipping entrepreneurs with business and technical skills, increasing productivity , quality, cost management and certification,” he said presenting awards for a rural programme here today.

He also launched the “MyIdeas@Rural” portal which would allow the rural community to channel their ideas.

Muhyuddin also said between January and November, RM5.9 billion was spent to carry out 206 development programmes which benefitted 506,535 SME entrepreneurs.

He also called on businessmen, especially those from the rural areas, to change their mindset in accordance with changing times and innovate their business practices.

The deputy prime minister said the entrepreneur community should realize that innovation was the key and secret to success and not necessarily depend entirely on new creations.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri NajibTunRazak placed emphasis on the innovation culture and creativity in the 2012 budget and had declared 2012 as the National Innovation Year.

“This is because the government realises that innovation can create a more valuable economic chain. I hope each ministry, department and agency will assume their respective role and cooperate to make this reality.