KUSKOP Initiatives Benefit Thousands Of Indian Entrepreneurs Nationwide - Ramanan

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP) has introduced various initiatives aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, which have benefitted tens of thousands of Indians nationwide.

Its deputy minister, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, said among them were the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) programme under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia and the Bank Rakyat’s Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i (BRIEF-i) programme.

“Over 10,000 individuals have benefitted from these initiatives. For instance, under PENN, more than RM20 million in financing has been extended to nearly 3,000 women entrepreneurs.

“This PENN programme is crucial as it offers support even to entrepreneurs facing challenges like CCRIS, CTOS or bankruptcy issues. A special fund of RM50 million has been allocated for this initiative.”

He said this during a Luncheon with the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives in conjunction with Deepavali celebrations here today.

Ramanan also said that through the BRIEF-i initiative, loans totalling RM33.16 million had been granted to almost 400 Indian entrepreneurs so far.

“Considering this sum, there are still numerous entrepreneurs who can receive assistance moving forward,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Ramanan said that the media plays a vital role in nation-building, particularly in empowering the Indian community, which numbers around three million in Malaysia.

During the event, he spent about an hour mingling with over 40 media practitioners from the Indian community and various agencies who will celebrate Deepavali at the end of this month.

-- BERNAMA