SUNGAI PETANI, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The house buying issue among the young generation is expected to be among the key focus areas of the 2017 Budget to be tabled on Oct 21.

Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Othman Aziz, said this issue must be given attention considering there were many among the young generation who could not afford to own houses due to the high prices.

"House ownership among the young generation is an issue that we have to address, besides looking at ways to tackle the existing weaknesses due to financial commitments such as PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corp) loans, car, house rental, and others, which make them ineligible to get housing loan.

"I believe the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) will look into this matter objectively to help this group," he said in a press conference after officiating the closing ceremony of Bumipreneurs of Tomorrow (Bahtera) 2016 (Northern Edition) here Sunday.

Othman said he was confident that the 2017 Budget would be able to continue the nation's development by taking into account the current economic situation.

"Among the main thrusts that will be maintained are how to help the less fortunate such as the Bottom 40 (B40) group, entrepreneurs, students and social issues.

"The others that will be continued include the construction of the Mass Rapid Transit, Pan Borneo Highway...these will be the catalysts to the overall economy as there are spin-offs that will benefit others," he said.

Meanwhile, the two-day Bahtera 2016 Northern Edition which ended today saw the participation of 38 government agencies, 20 enterprises and 14 food trucks and 5,000 entrepreneurs.

Othman said Bumiputera entrepreneurs must be bold in creating opportunities and not become "followers" of other entrepreneurs.

"They must look for and grab the opportunities but in this age they must be smart to create the opportunities, open their minds and adopt a new style that is creative and innovative.

"Fundamental knowledge in business such as financial management, product, location, marketing, promotion, pricing and others are important but discipline is also important, besides business networking, to continue to be successful, he said.

-- BERNAMA