SME Corp Plans To Help More Sarawak MSMEs

KUCHING, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- SME Corporation Malaysia plans to target more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Sarawak to receive benefits through programmes that will be implemented in 2025, in line with the aspirations of a more equitable and inclusive MADANI Economy framework.

Chief executive officer Rizal Nainy said that to make it easier for MSMEs to apply for the assistance offered, they can take advantage of online applications through the MSME Integrated Rating and Incentive System (MyBPI) which was introduced this year.

“In fact, MyBPI has been seen as successfully facilitating access for MSMEs to the point of being recognised as one of the bureaucracy reform projects during the MADANI Government's 2-Year Programme and the recent National Convention on Civil Service Reforms," he said in a statement here today.

He said that since 2021, financial assistance amounting to RM17.6 million has been approved for 3,759 MSMEs from Sarawak by SME Corp, an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development.

"A total of 250 Sarawak entrepreneurs with grants worth RM3.5 million or 11 per cent of the total number of 2,275 youth entrepreneurs have benefited from assistance through the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) programme," he said.

Sarawak MSMEs also receive assistance under the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP) which increases the competitiveness of MSMEs through integrated assistance including advisory services, technical support, training and financial assistance.

"Of the 983 MSMEs that have been approved for financial assistance amounting to RM121.9 million under BEEP 2.0, about four per cent are Sarawak MSMEs totalling 39 MSMEs that have been approved for financial assistance amounting to RM6.2 million.

"SME Corp has implemented the MADANI Micro Strengthening Programme (MADANI Micro) which was launched in 2023. A total of 408 Sarawak micro enterprises have benefited and received approval amounting to RM4.6 million," said Rizal.

He said another programme that recorded encouraging participation from Sarawak MSMEs was the Business Accelerator Programme (BAP) with approval amounting to RM3 million. 

"The MADANI Micro programme provides financial assistance to micro enterprises in the form of grants and loans as well as vouchers for registration of MSME status through five main initiatives namely Micro Business Grants, Micro Biz Financing, Micro Youth Business Grants@ TUBE, BEEP Plus Sabah & Sarawak and MSME Status Voucher.

"Programmes that do not involve financial assistance and record the highest participation include the Micro Entrepreneur Business Development Programme and the Rating and Accreditation Programme," he said.

-- BERNAMA