WOMEN entrepreneurs in Penang are set to scale new heights with a new mentoring platform to sharpen their business skills and be a major contributor to the economy.

The pioneer programme called the Penang Women Entrepreneurs’ Mentoring Programme (PWEMP) was started by the state to create a platform for women entrepreneurs to be successful in the business world.

State social development committee chairman Chong Eng said the six months programme would give businesswomen the necessary training and mentoring from now until March 2021.

“This is part of an effort by my portfolio on social development to create skilful women entrepreneurs who will be ready to face the economic challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“According to the latest data from SME Corp, only 16% or 10,516 businesses in Penang are owned by women and to meet our target of 40% by 2030, we need 100,000 registered women entrepreneurs.

“This key performance index (KPI) is a tall order but not impossible and the state government welcomes the effort of the women business community to join hands in realising this KPI, ” she said when launching the programme at Sains@USM in Bukit Jambul recently.

Chong Eng said the entire crux of the programme was empowering women from the M40 and B40 groups from various industries, and matching them with the mentors who would be running the programme for four hours every week from 2pm to 6pm for the next six months.

“The course fees for M40 is RM600, and RM100 for B40.

“They will be shown the know-how and understanding of supply chain processes.”

Chong Eng thanked organisations such as WomenBizSENSE, Yayasan Kemajuan Sosial Malaysia, JCI Pearl, NAWEM Penang, Pertubuhan Pembangunan Wanita Tamarai Pulau Pinang and SME Corp.

A total of 116 participants from B40 and 40 participants from M40 are participating in the programme, which is co-organised by the Penang Women’s Development Corporation.