By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Aug 20 — A Form Four student of SMK Syed Mansor in Batang Kali was thrilled to have a taste of large-scale entrepreneurship during the Selangor State Development Corporation's (PKNS) Karnival Usahawan (KUP) yesterday.
[caption id="attachment_322848" align="alignleft" width="464"] SMK Syed Mansor Form Four student Alauddin Razin speaking to SelangorKini during the Karnival Usahawan PKNS 2023 event, at Kompleks PKNS in Section 14, Shah Alam, on August 19, 2023. — Picture by NORRASYIDAH ARSHAD/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Alauddin Razin said the opportunity to do business at the carnival, held at Kompleks PKNS Shah Alam over a three-day period starting on Friday (August 18) managed to greatly helped him directly interact with a larger customer base.
"I usually only do business at school, but this time it is on a larger scale, with more people. I have used all the experience and training provided by PKNS through the Tunas Niaga (PROTUNe) programme to my advantage.
"This is a very valuable opportunity. When you gain this kind of experience, your determination to become an entrepreneur burns ever stronger," said the student representing his school in selling food and clothing.
[caption id="attachment_322849" align="alignright" width="479"] Jijah Satay founder Nursyahliza Syafrial speaking to SelangorKini during the Karnival Usahawan PKNS 2023 event, at Kompleks PKNS in Section 14, Shah Alam, on August 19, 2023. — Picture by NORRASYIDAH ARSHAD/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Meanwhile, Jijah Satay founder Nursyahliza Syafrial said the inaugural carnival has helped her promote and revive her products.
Operating since 2017, her business faced setbacks during the Covid-19 pandemic and attempted to make a comeback last year.
"However, my efforts were unsuccessful until I joined the Usahawan Siswazah (Grow) programme in February. In just a few months, with PKNS' guidance, my business has recovered," she said.
KUP offered opportunities for nearly 150 entrepreneurs, including students, to sell a variety of products.
In addition to PROTUNe and Grow participants, it also included participants from the Bina Bangun Usahawan (BizUp) and Usahawan Siswazah Lanjutan (Grow Plus) programmes,
During the three-day period, with sales hours from 9am to 8pm, PKNS aimed to generate up to RM60,000 in potential sales.