The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development is evaluating specific support for entrepreneurs to open physiotherapy clinics in rural areas

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will evaluate proposals for specific support for professional entrepreneurs who want to open physiotherapy clinics in rural areas.

Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said physiotherapy is a new proposal with potential for support through the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) programme.

She was responding to a supplementary question on whether the ministry would create a grant scheme for setting up physiotherapy clinics in rural areas for vulnerable groups.

Rubiah explained that MARA already has special programmes for professional entrepreneurs in the medical, dental and pharmaceutical sectors.

“This programme also provides sponsorship or loans for doctors who wish to open clinics in urban and rural areas,” she said during the Dewan Rakyat session.

The ministry will also provide specific support to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates interested in entrepreneurship.

Rubiah said TVET institutions under KKDW have made entrepreneurship a core part of their studies, including techno-entrepreneurship diplomas.

Student sales from these programmes reached RM120 million from 2016 to 2025, with 442 graduates produced.

Assistance for TVET graduates encompasses MARA’s financing scheme, business premises facilities, incubation space, training and guidance services.

The KKDW has been running the Start Right Programme (PSR) since 2021 as a catalyst for youths to venture into technical entrepreneurship.

“This programme provides entrepreneurship training, equipment sets, starting capital worth RM20,000, and 24 months of guidance,” Rubiah said.

 The Sun Malaysia