KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29- The Malaysian Malay Traders and Entrepreneurs Association (PERDASAMA) intends to make 2025 the year of entrepreneurs in all public higher education institutions (IPTA) nationwide.

PERDASAMA President Mohd Azamanizam Baharon explained that the effort is towards producing more young entrepreneurs who are skilled in the ins and outs of business with the guidance of PERDASAMA members and more than 200 experienced and successful business coaches in various sectors.

So far this year, PERDASAMA has collaborated with eight public universities to encourage young people to venture into business as an interesting career.

This mainly creates a combination of synergy, cooperation and partnership between PERDASAMA members and young people who are skilled in the use of new media as well as elements related to e-Commerce.

"So, God willing 2025 one of PERDASAMA's big agenda is that we will go to almost 20 universities to be used as the year of entrepreneurs and will start with Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) which involves almost 5,000 students.

"This is PERDASAMA's target and by the end of 2026, we want to create the data of at least 500,000 young people in universities and colleges joining 27,000 PERDASAMA.

"To build a partnership synergy and network between us who are 20 years old, 10 years in the industry with young people who have tendencies who may be excited to start a business," he said.

He said this in a press conference in conjunction with PERDASAMA's 26th Annual General Meeting in the capital.

In the meantime, bumiputera entrepreneurs, especially members of PERDASAMA, were also called to come out of the cocoon of narrow thinking to venture into business openly and competitively.

This is seen as being able to expand the business in addition to expanding the business network and producing various products in the global market.

He also wants all members of PERDASAMA, which now exceed 27,000 members, to show a strong spirit, never give up and always work hard to succeed as entrepreneurs.

"This field or the world of business is universal. It does not differentiate whether we are Muslims or non-Muslims, Malay bumiputera or non-Malays. It is universal.

"So I give the example of many companies that are not controlled by Muslims but they produce halal products and can export billions of ringgit abroad from the country.

"So I emphasize to them that they have a universal mindset because bumiputera alone will not be strong," he said again.