PM Wants Women Entrepreneurs To Show Commitment In Business

BALIK PULAU -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants women entrepreneurs in the country to show commitment in their business undertakings and avoid the tendency to give up halfway, as exemplified by the Malay adage "hangat-hangat tahi ayam".

The prime minister said showing strong commitment in the beginning before losing steam later on would not help them achieve success.

"They should work hard and be patient if they want to be successful and able to penetrate the international market," he said when launching a carnival for women entrepreneurs organised by the Penang Wanita Umno here today.

Abdullah noted that the success of many women after having to go through the ups and downs of the business world could be attributed to their perseverance.

This, he said, was reflected in the large number of women who were able to repay loans obtained from the Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun) compared to men.

Abdullah said he was proud of Penang Wanita Umno's success in organising the carnival and its strategies to market items produced by the women folk to reach a wider market.

The prime minister described efforts to bring women entrepreneurs to greater heights as timely given that the country would be celebrating its 50th independence anniversary.

He was glad that women in the country were taking steps to empower themselves and becoming successful professionals and businesswomen.

"The move to market products made by the villagers could also benefit single mothers to enable them to support their families," he added.

-- BERNAMA


PM Launches Brandname For Products Of Penang Women Entrepreneurs

BALIK PULAU -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today launched 25 products of Penang women entrepreneurs under the "Cinoni" brand which are targeted at both the domestic and international markets.

The launch took place at the Penang Women Entrepreneurs Carnival organised by the state Wanita Umno at the Balik Pulau Sports Complex here.

Among the products under the brand are spices for cooking nasi kandar, herbal oil, aromatherapy soap, Tambun biscuits, Mami Tanjung pickle, local fruit juices and preserved tropical flowers.

According to organising chairperson Datuk Jahara Hamid, Jeramayang Sdn Bhd has been set up to market the Cinoni products, initially at the Mydin and Sunshine supermarket chains throughout the country.

Later more products will be marketed under the Cinoni brand, she added.

Besides off the shelf sales, the products are also suitable to make up hampers and as corporate gifts that symbolise Penang, Jahara said.

Wanita Umno, according to her, will extend the Cinoni brand to products made by women in 13 parliamentary constituencies in Penang.

It will also cooperate with other Barisan Nasional component parties in including under the Cinoni brand the products of their women entrepreneurs.

"Although the word cinoni isn't in the dictionary, for us in Penang it portrays something cute and beautiful," she added.

-- BERNAMA