AIM Disbursed RM146 Mln In Micro-financing To 23,243 Sarawak Entrepreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) has disbursed RM146 million in micro-financing to 23,243 AIM Sahabat entrepreneurs in Sarawak from January to June through its Ikhtiar Financing Scheme (SPI).

Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) Datuk Seri R Ramanan announced that, starting next year, multiple agencies will expand support for Sarawak's entrepreneurs with new financing schemes for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), petty traders, and small businesses.

He explained that these schemes will be driven through AIM, TEKUN Nasional, Bank Rakyat, SME Bank, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad and SME Corp.

“Bank Rakyat is also offering a scaled profit rate incentive for MSMEs with a two percent subsidy for each financing facility.

“This measure enables entrepreneurs to enjoy financing at a lower profit rate,” he said during the question-and-answer session in Dewan Negara today.

Responding to Senator Michael Mujah Lihan, Ramanan said the ministry is designing targeted entrepreneurial programmes with the National Institute of Entrepreneurship (INSKEN), SME Bank and SME Corp, while also developing better business premises for small traders through the Tamu Desa project.

“We also plan to open an MSME hub coordinated by SME Corp to help entrepreneurs access information and advisory services. Furthermore, we will continue cooperating with the state government on implementation,” he said regarding plans to enhance assistance for Sarawak entrepreneurs next year.

-- BERNAMA