PAPAR: Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah said the government has strengthened support for micro and small entrepreneurs through allocating an additional RM5 billion in micro-financing More than RM1 billion had already been disbursed within about one and a half months, reflecting encouraging demand among entrepreneurs.
“Besides providing financing, the Madani government is also emphasising entrepreneurial guidance through agencies such as Agrobank, Bank Rakyat, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Tekun Nasional and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).
“These agencies actively engage with entrepreneurs on the ground to help them better manage their businesses and obtain financing that suits their stage of business development,” he said after a working visit at Tamu Papar here, on Sunday.
When asked whether financing from financial institutions would be made easier for small traders, Amir said the assessment approach on the applications now is more flexible by taking into account cash flow and business potential, particularly for small traders who have yet to establish a credit record.
He said entrepreneurs could begin by obtaining financing from Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) AIM, Tekun or Yayasan Usaha Maju (Yum) before moving on to banking institutions once their businesses had expanded and established a stronger track record.
“This approach requires the cooperation of all parties — a whole-of-nation approach — so that more entrepreneurs can build sustainable businesses and grow progressively,” he said.
