Fatimah (second right) officiates at the Women Entrepreneurship Empowerment and Product Launching event at Sapana Living yesterday. With her are Catherine (second left), Juita (right) and DUBS president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg.

KUCHING: Women from the low income group can apply for a business start-up loan from the Women and Family Department as well as the Welfare Department by submitting a form together with a business plan.

Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said women earning less than RM1,000 a month face problems securing loans via the usual route.

“We’ve received a sum of RM500,000 for the Women and Family Department, and another RM500,000 for the Welfare Department,” she said at the Women Entrepreneurship Empowerment and Product Launching event at boutique home decor store Sapana Living, here yesterday.

According to her, the amount was allocated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg after she raised the matter with him during her ministry’s open day.

She added that with the allocation, the Welfare Department will also be offering grants of up to RM5,000 for those keen on starting a business.

Fatimah went on to encourage women to join non-governmental organisations such as Sarawak Bumiputera Women Chamber of Commerce (Dewanita DUBS) to meet like-minded people.

Earlier, the store hosted a motivational talk by Dewanita DUBS chief Juita Drap, who spoke to participants from Bau about ‘Getting Outside the Box’.

Sapana Living, located at Jalan Abell, is a boutique home decor company opened by Catherine Juisi, whom the minister said should be seen as an inspiration.

“Here is a classic example of a lady who dared to take a risk. Usually, women get into food production as a business. Very few venture into home decor because it’s expensive and the demand is uncertain,” she said.