Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia provided RM146 million to 23,243 Sarawak entrepreneurs in the first half of the year via its Ikhtiar Financing Scheme
KUALA LUMPUR: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) disbursed RM146 million in micro-financing to 23,243 entrepreneurs in Sarawak from January to June this year.
The funding was delivered through its Ikhtiar Financing Scheme (SPI).
Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Seri R Ramanan said multiple agencies will expand support for Sarawak’s entrepreneurs starting next year.
He said new financing schemes for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), petty traders, and small businesses will be driven through several institutions.
These include 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 2% subsidy for each financing facility,” Ramanan said during the Dewan Negara question-and-answer session.
“This measure enables entrepreneurs to enjoy financing at a lower profit rate.”
He was responding to a question from 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.
It is 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,” he said.
“Furthermore, we will continue cooperating with the state government on implementation.” – Bernama
