KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 – The government approved a total of 7,266 ringgit 1.366 billion loan applications under the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) initiative of the National Economic Regeneration Plan (Penjana) as of March 19, 2021 .

Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the government allocated Ringgit 2 billion under the program, which prioritized SMEs that had never received a loan from a bank before.

As of March 26, the Bumiputera Relief Financing (BRF) fund introduced by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) has been channeled to 749 SMEs involving a total of 226.8 million ringgit against 675 SMEs with a total of 195.2 million ringgit the previous one the week.

For the low rate loan fund for SMEs managed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), a total of Ringgit 11.82 billion has been approved and will benefit 24,921 SMEs.

“This amount includes the Special Relief Fund (SRF), the Automation and Digitization Fund (ADF), the Fund for All Economic Sectors (AES) and the Agro-Food Facility (AF).

“Even though the SRF fund has been fully distributed, SMEs can still apply for the funding programs available through BNM funds such as ADF, AES and AF,” he said at the meeting. Presentation of the 48th National Inter-Agency Economic Stimulation Implementation and Coordination Unit (Laksana) report today.

He explained that SMEs can also get other funding through the imsme.com.my platform which can help match the required funding with various SME fund providers.

Meanwhile, as of March 26, Penjana Tourism Sector Funding approved 308 applications out of a total of 626 applications, with total funding of RM 61.9 million.

He said that for technical and digital consumption for SMEs and Mid-Level Enterprises (MTCs), a total of RM 55.5 million had been channeled to 12,476 enterprises in the form of grants and loans for subscriptions to scanning services until March 26.

As for the Cendana initiative, a total of 2.43 million ringgit was channeled to 441 beneficiaries comprising artists, collectives and organizations actively involved in the Malaysian arts and culture sector.

“Creative industry activators are advised to use this opportunity to produce their work. All industry players involved can request assistance from the relevant agencies via www.mycreative.com.my and www.cendana.com.my,” he said.

Tengku Zafrul also urged small traders and micro-entrepreneurs to apply for the Geran Khas Prihatin (GKP) 3.0, where applications will be open until April 15, 2021.

On March 17, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced GKP 3.0 as part of the Strategic Program for the Empowerment of People and the Economy (Pemerkasa) initiative, where each eligible microenterprise and SME will receive a One-time aid of RM 1,000. – Bernama