NATIONWIDE ENTREPRENEUR TOUR TO START IN DECEMBER – WAN ROSDY – TradingView

National Entrepreneurial Outreach Initiative to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A nationwide tour is set to commence in December to gather direct feedback from entrepreneurs on prevailing challenges and opportunities. This initiative, led by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail in his capacity as special advisor to the National Entrepreneur and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Council (MPUPK), is designed to inform and strengthen national policies. The tour’s primary goal is to align the development of the entrepreneurial sector with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strategic Objectives and Alignment with SDGs

The initiative is strategically aligned with several key SDGs, aiming to create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic environment.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By directly engaging with MSMEs, the tour aims to identify and address barriers to growth. The feedback will be used to formulate policies that support job creation, promote local economic development, and ensure sustained and inclusive economic growth.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The initiative seeks to foster innovation by understanding the needs of grassroots entrepreneurs. Strengthening the MSME sector through informed policies contributes to building a resilient industrial base and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The direct “bottom-up” approach ensures that the voices of entrepreneurs at the grassroots level are heard, helping to create more equitable policies that reduce economic disparities and provide opportunities for all segments of society.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: This tour represents a crucial partnership between the government and the entrepreneurial community. Such multi-stakeholder collaborations are essential for creating effective strategies to achieve sustainable development targets.

Implementation Framework

The programme will be implemented in a phased and comprehensive manner to ensure nationwide coverage.

1. Commencement and Phasing: The tour is scheduled to begin in December, with the initial visits planned for the states of Kedah and Perlis.
2. Nationwide Scope: Following the initial phase, the programme will be extended to all other states, including Pahang, to ensure comprehensive data collection.
3. Target Demographics: The initiative will involve various categories of entrepreneurs, with a specific focus on the MSME sector, which is a cornerstone of the national economy.
4. Data Collection Method: The core methodology is direct engagement, allowing for the collection of unfiltered feedback and suggestions from entrepreneurs without intermediaries.

Policy Impact and Future Outlook

The data and insights gathered from the tour will be systematically analyzed to guide the enhancement of government policies and strategic development plans for the entrepreneurial sector. The announcement was made following the Pahang Entrepreneur Awards (AURA), where 12 recipients were recognized for their contributions. This concurrent recognition serves to inspire a culture of continuous improvement in quality and service, which is integral to building sustainable and competitive enterprises that can contribute effectively to the national SDG agenda.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article’s central theme is the development and support of the entrepreneurial sector, particularly focusing on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This directly aligns with SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The initiative to gather feedback to “strengthen the government’s policies and strategies in developing the entrepreneurial sector” is a clear effort to foster economic growth through entrepreneurship.
2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article describes a multi-stakeholder approach to policy-making. The government, through the National Entrepreneur and MSMEs Development Council (MPUPK), is proactively engaging with “entrepreneurs at the grassroots level” to gather feedback. This initiative to “ensure that the voices of entrepreneurs…can be heard directly” exemplifies a partnership between public institutions and the private sector (entrepreneurs) to create more effective and coherent policies, which is a core principle of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.3: “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises…” The entire purpose of the nationwide tour is to gather “feedback, suggestions, and input” to create better government policies and strategies specifically for entrepreneurs and MSMEs. This directly supports the creation of “development-oriented policies” mentioned in this target.
2. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.14: “Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.” The article states that the feedback gathered from the tour will be used to “strengthen the government’s policies and strategies.” This process of consulting stakeholders (entrepreneurs) to refine national policies is a direct mechanism for enhancing policy coherence, ensuring that government strategies are aligned with the actual needs and challenges of the economic actors they are meant to support.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 8.3 (Promoting entrepreneurship)
   • Implied Indicator: The number and diversity of entrepreneurs engaged. The article mentions the tour will “involve various categories of entrepreneurs, including MSMEs” and will visit multiple states like “Kedah and Perlis, before continuing to other states.” An indicator of progress would be the number of entrepreneurs and MSMEs from different regions and sectors who provide feedback.
   • Implied Indicator: The number of entrepreneurs recognized and supported. The mention of the “Pahang Entrepreneur Awards” for 12 recipients suggests a mechanism for tracking and celebrating successful entrepreneurs, which can serve as an indicator of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
2. For Target 17.14 (Enhancing policy coherence)
   • Implied Indicator: The establishment of a mechanism for stakeholder consultation. The “nationwide tour” itself is an indicator of a functioning mechanism for public-private consultation. Its successful implementation across the country would be a measure of progress.
   • Implied Indicator: The number of policies reviewed or developed based on stakeholder feedback. The article’s stated goal is to use the feedback to “strengthen the government’s policies and strategies.” A direct indicator of success would be the number of new or revised policies that incorporate the input gathered from the entrepreneurs.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: tradingview.com