Program

Economy & Income Capacity Improvement Policy Working Group

Description

Poverty alleviation programmes that are based on the empowerment of small and micro enterprises aim to provide access to and strengthen the economic environment for small- and micro-scale entrepreneurs. An important aspect in the enforcement is providing wider access to the poor so that they can improve their quality of life.

Characteristics

The characteristics of micro and small enterprises empowerment-based poverty alleviation programme group are:

1. Providing micro-scaled capital or financial assistance. 
   This programme group is an expansion of a more independent community empowerment-based programme, in the sense that the government provides facilities to small and micro entrepreneurs in obtaining additional capital through financial/banking institutions that are guaranteed by the government.
2. Enforcing the independence of entrepreneurs and access to markets.
   Providing greater access to entrepreneurs and in market access and expansion, both at the domestic and international levels, and to products produced by small and micro enterprises. Access in this context does not merely mean the availability of support and channels for enterprise endeavours, but also facilities in carrying out those endeavours.
3. Increasing entrepreneurship skills and management.
   Providing training and counselling to increase entrepreneurship skills and management to the small and micro entrepreneurs. 

Coverage

The coverage of small and micro enterprise-based empowerment programmes can be divided into three groups, namely: (1) financing or capital assistance; (2) opening access to finance and product marketing; and (3) improvement entrepreneurship skills and management counselling.

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries of these programmes are near-poor community where enterprise is micro- and small-scaled, as well as the poor who do not have business enterprises or have not been involved in economic activities.