Bumiputera traders selling information technology (IT) products at Mara Digital Malls nationwide will be able to enjoy the six-month rental exemption as extended to traders at Mara Digital Mall on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry decided on the free rental for future traders operating at the Mara Digital Mall at Anggerik Mall, Shah Alam, and Glomac Mall in Damansara, due to be opened soon.

"The rental subsidy is given as temporary assistance for traders starting out on their business in the first six months, until they earn a stable amount of profit. This is not a special priviledge as alleged by certain quarters previously," Ismail Sabri said at a press conference at Sri Pentas, in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, today.

He said the Mara Digital Mall at Anggerik Mall, which would be opened at the end of June, was delayed as the recent storms had caused leaks and damages to the building.

"The traders will have to begin operating at a suitable time as come fasting month, shoppers are more interested in clothings for Hari Raya, rather than mobile phones and IT products," he said.

In December last year, Ismail Sabri had said the Mara Digital Mall would be extended to every state capital nationwide this year to give more bumiputera traders the opportunity to venture into the digital and IT market.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the Rural Business Challenge (RBC), running from May 16 to June 15, was still open for participation.

"Like in the previous years, the RBC this year is divided into two categories, namely the Business Expansion and Business Idea competitions. The Business Expansion category is open to existing companies while the Business Idea category is open to companies that have not begun operation.

"Participation is open to Malaysian youths, aged between 18 to 40 years," he said.

He said winners of the Business Expansion category would receive a business grant of up to RM1 million for capital expenditure and credit facilities, while the Business Ideas winners would receive RM10,000 for each winning entry.

For further details, contact the RBC secretariat at 03-88915607 or visit its website.

- Bernama