When the Movement Control Order was imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Mohd Zafri Ridhzuan, a graduate of Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Polytechnic in Jitra here, had ample time to sit and ponder his future.
With employment opportunities at that time hard to come by, he decided to help with the small family business of selling village products (cotton pillow stuffings and medicines).
That proved to be a stroke of genius as he managed to boost the family business until they managed to open several other businesses, including restaurants and homestays last year.
The 24-year-old Kedah-born then applied for a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) in April to expand the family business in Kampung Teluk Kandit, near here.
“I was born into a family of entrepreneurs… so, I was always interested in business, especially during the Movement Control Order as I just stayed at home and managed the family business.
“I am very grateful to the government for giving us a chance to upgrade the business by approving the Agrotourism grant last month,” he said when met by Bernama recently.
Mohd Zafri said he received the RM140,000 grant to build several infrastructures for the eatery business, including an open hall and surau which are expected to be completed in the middle of next year.
He that, for now, the eatery only has space for about 200 customers a day, allowing him to rake in a profit of RM40,000 a month.
“I hope that once the open hall and surau are completed, the number of customers will increase to about 400 people a day and increase my monthly business profit by 50 per cent,” he said.
Mohd Zafri, who is a Marketing graduate, is also determined to optimise the grant aid from the government and ensure his business continues to flourish and provide economic spillover to the local residents.
“I also want to call on the young people, especially in Kedah, to apply for the grant provided by the government so that more youth can venture into business,” he said.
