SHAH ALAM: The initiative by the Selangor state government to provide financing schemes with less strict conditions since 2020 has resulted in more than 30,000 entrepreneurs earning over RM5,000 per month. Rodziah Ismail, State Housing, Urban Well-being and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman, stated that as of July, Yayasan Hijrah Selangor had approved funding for a total of 72,000 entrepreneurs, amounting to RM645 million.
According to Rodziah, “Our capital financing system is easy, fast, and does not burden hawkers and petty traders, who face difficulties in raising initial and additional working capital. We offer various types of financing schemes ranging from RM1,000 to RM50,000, and in some cases, up to RM100,000.” The programme was introduced to prevent entrepreneurs in the state from resorting to unlicensed moneylenders or ‘ah long’.
She further added, “With the simplified terms and conditions of the Hijrah Selangor financing schemes, we have observed that many entrepreneurs have become less reliant on others and have been able to operate their own businesses.” Some of these entrepreneurs have also expanded into foreign markets such as Indonesia, Thailand, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Rodziah highlighted that the state government has selected certain entrepreneurs to participate in exhibitions and expos abroad to expose them to the international market and seek potential business opportunities. Meanwhile, the Selangor government is set to launch the Selangor Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneur Development Strategic Action Plan 2023-2027.
She explained that the main objective of this strategic plan is to create a comprehensive and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem to advance an inclusive, balanced, and sustainable socioeconomic agenda. The plan aims to increase the number of qualified, viable, and resilient entrepreneurs and enhance the capabilities of local entrepreneurs, particularly in the SME sector, to thrive and remain relevant amidst an uncertain economic environment. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
