GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS FUND FOR GRADUATES' ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING

PENANG (Malaysia), Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The government will consider
providing funds to local Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for the setting up of
an incubator and facilities to train graduates in the field of entrepreneurship,
Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

He said the programme was to prepare the graduates to venture into the
business sector by commercialising the work of their respective researches upon
completing their studies.

USM, based in the northern state of Penang, had the edge in research field
and the setting up of the incubator will be a platform to mould viable and
competitive entrepreneurs, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the
Bumiputera Participation Committee here Saturday.

He said the government would support such an effort as it would provide
graduates with additional skills.

"The government has set up various funds to help entrepreneurs, but the
effort by USM will ensure potential graduates get training in entrepreneurship
so that they have the knowledge, experience and skills before venturing into the
field," he added.

On the meeting Saturday, Nor Mohamed said it discussed, among other things,
strategy to enhance bumiputera participation in the state's economy and on
efforts to generate employment opportunities.

He said the federal government, in an effort to assist workers who were laid
off because of the current economic situation, would organise courses to provide
them with new skills.
-- BERNAMA