SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) announced its plans to target more micro SMEs (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 MADAI Economy framework.
To make it easier for MSMEs to apply for the assistance offered, SME Corp chief executive officer Rizal Nainy said that the companies can apply online through the MSME Integrated Rating and Incentive System (MyBPI) that was introduced this year.
“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 Two-Year Programme and the recent National Convention on Civil Service Reforms,” Nainy explained.
He said that since 2021, financial assistance amounting to RM17.6 million has been approved for 3,759 MSMEs from Sarawak by SME Corp, which is an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development.
“A total of 250 Sarawak entrepreneurs with grants worth RM3.5 million (11%) of the total number of 2,275 youth entrepreneurs have benefited from assistance through the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) programme,” he noted.
MSMEs in Sarawak also receive assistance under the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP), increasing 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 4% are Sarawak MSMEs totaling 39 MSMEs that have been approved, amounting to RM6.2 million,” Rizal pointed out.
Meanwhile, from the MADANI Micro Strengthening Programme (MADANI Micro) that SME Corp launched in 2023, a total of 408 micro enterprises in Sarawak have benefited and received approval amounting to RM4.6 million.
Rizal said the Business Accelerator Programme (BAP) also received encouraging participation from Sarawak MSMEs, with approvals 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 the Micro Business Grants, Micro Biz Financing, Micro Youth Business Grants @ TUBE, BEEP Plus Sabah & Sarawak as well as 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.
