Vanakkam MADANI Spurs Indian Community's Business Aspirations In Perak

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- The Vanakkam MADANI initiative is fast emerging as a platform for economic empowerment, with its latest Business Finance Programme in Ipoh, Perak on Saturday drawing over 200 participants from the Indian community. 

Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) Women Entrepreneurs Wing chairman Hemala AP Sivam said the strong response to the programme underscored the community’s growing awareness of the importance of financial literacy and access to business support systems.

“This is a clear sign that when opportunities are made accessible and community-focused, the impact is immediate and meaningful,” she said in a statement to Bernama today.

The programme, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development and key financial agencies, focused on enhancing access to financing and capacity-building for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.

Among the agencies involved were TEKUN Nasional, SME Bank, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia and Bank Rakyat. The programme was supported by the Perak Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Women Entrepreneurs Wing of MAICCI.

The event was launched by Datuk Anbumani Balan, senior private secretary to the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development.

“This initiative was made possible under the visionary leadership of Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, whose commitment to inclusive economic growth continues to uplift communities across Malaysia,” she added.

Meanwhile, Hemala also commended the role of the ministry and the participating agencies in bridging economic gaps and strengthening the resilience of local enterprises, adding that the recent business programme forms part of a broader effort to empower minority communities through inclusive policies and targeted outreach under the MADANI economic agenda.

-- BERNAMA