The government is ramping up efforts to inform entrepreneurs about RM5 billion micro-financing facilities from agencies including Agrobank and BSN.
PUTRAJAYA: The government is intensifying efforts to raise awareness among entrepreneurs about micro-financing facilities worth over RM5 billion offered by various agencies, enabling more eligible individuals to access the financial assistance.
Treasury secretary-general (KSU) Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican said awareness of the facilities still needs improvement. Therefore, all relevant agencies will be mobilised to go on the ground, particularly to reach small traders.
“As announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the government is providing over RM5 billion in micro-credit value through key agencies such as Agrobank, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Bank Rakyat, TEKUN Nasional, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).
“What is being implemented now, since there seems to be a lack of awareness, is an effort for all relevant agencies to unite and go down to the ground. Today we are at the Putrajaya Pasar Tani with over 124 traders,” he told a press conference after attending the Putrajaya Pasar Tani Visit Programme here.
Sharing feedback from traders during the visit, Johan said most indicated they had received financing from government agencies, with some benefiting multiple times.
“From what I gathered, I believe the majority received financing from the involved agencies. This shows that what is being provided and delivered is actually creating a good impact. A major impact on those who receive these funds and utilise them,” Johan said.
Meanwhile, Agrobank president and chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, who was also present, said the bank’s engagement series at farmers’ markets has received over 160 applications totalling RM6.4 million in micro-financing to date.
“This reflects a positive response among hawkers and micro-entrepreneurs to financial access that is easier, closer, and suited to their daily business needs,” Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah said.
He added that the ground-level programme allows Agrobank to listen directly to traders’ needs and provide more targeted explanations about available financing facilities and financial support.
“Apart from financing, traders are also given access to financial advisory services, takaful protection, business digitalisation, and financial literacy to help them enhance their business resilience and competitiveness in the long run,” he said.
On the prices offered by traders at the farmers’ market, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the public can check item price movements through the Agro-food Supply and Marketing Monitoring and Intervention (SISDA) portal provided by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA).
“This portal also functions as an early warning mechanism to help authorities take appropriate measures, including increasing supply if there are indications of sharp price hikes,” Isham said.
