PETALING JAYA: Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (Exim Bank), a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB) Group, has channelled more than RM2 million through its Mawaddah Initiative over the past three years, empowering over 500 beneficiaries nationwide through entrepreneurship, financial assistance and community development programmes.
Grounded in the principles of “Serving with Faith, Giving with Purpose”, the Mawaddah Initiative continues to advance inclusive socio economic development.
Building on this momentum, Exim Bank and the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) joined hands to organise the three-day Entrepreneurship Carnival early this month at Exim Bank’s headquarters, reflecting a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.
Exim Bank president and CEO Datuk Nurbayu Kasim Chang said, “We believe inclusive economic growth begins with creating opportunities for every segment of society. Through the Mawaddah Initiative and our partnership with MFD, we are empowering underserved entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to Malaysia’s economic development.
“As Exim Bank’s Islamic social finance platform, the Mawaddah Initiative will continue strengthening strategic collaborations that deliver measurable development impact, guided by the principles of Value Based Intermediation and aligned with Bank Negara Malaysia’s Performance Measurement Framework.”
The Entrepreneurship Carnival builds on the momentum of the Mawaddah Initiative, Exim Bank’s Islamic social finance platform dedicated to advancing sustainable and inclusive development through entrepreneurship, education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance and strategic partnerships.
Since 2023, the initiative has delivered more than 10 strategic programmes and partnerships, benefitting over 500 individuals nationwide through entrepreneurship development, financial assistance, community outreach and Islamic social finance.
Key initiatives include entrepreneurship development for the deaf community in collaboration with MFD, halal ecosystem development with Halal Development Corporation, poultry economic empowerment with MyFundAction, Islamic financial literacy programmes delivered with the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia, Kolej Profesional Baitulmal Kuala Lumpur, Kolej Islam Teknologi Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang, alongside educational assistance, healthcare contributions and humanitarian initiatives.
Among its recent community initiatives, Exim Bank participated in the Program Santunan Kasih at Pusat Jagaan Mahmudah, Semenyih, and Pusat Jagaan Nur Hasanah, Beranang, organised by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) and its agencies in collaboration with Puspanita Miti branch and Skuad Ihsan Madani Miti.
Exim Bank also organised the Ihsan Banking Journey to Royal Belum, Gerik, Perak, where about 80 staff members engaged with Orang Asli families through outreach activities and the distribution of essential supplies.
Beyond this, Mawaddah also supports collaborative Islamic social finance programmes across the BPMB Group, including SME Bank’s iTekad Ishrad 4.0. From 2025 to 2026, the programme is supporting about 420 asnaf entrepreneurs nationwide through RM9 million in funding, comprising Bank Negara Malaysia’s iTekad matching grants and crowd in contributions from BPMB, Exim Bank and other strategic partners.
SME Bank’s Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research serves as the programme’s business coach, providing training in marketing, digitalisation, financial management and business operations.
The Entrepreneurship Carnival featured about 10 booths showcasing businesses led by deaf entrepreneurs across the food and beverage, retail, handmade products and beauty sectors. Attracting more than 400 visitors, the carnival provided participating entrepreneurs with greater market exposure, networking opportunities and access to potential customers.
The event was attended by Exim Bank’s senior management, members of the Mawaddah Committee, representatives from MFD, strategic partners and other stakeholders, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and socioeconomic development.
