Mara sets aside RM400 MLN for Bumiputera business financing facilities this year

LABUAN: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has allocated RM400 million for various business financing facilities to support Bumiputera entrepreneurs nationwide this year. 
Mara deputy director-general (Entrepreneurship), Datuk Zulfikri Osman said more than 50 per cent of the total allocation has already been disbursed as at July 2023.
“If there is a need to increase the amount, we will submit an application to the government in the interest of fulfilling Bumiputera entrepreneurs’ needs,” he told reporters after officiating the Mara Enhancement Bumiputera Entrepreneurship Seminar, here on Thursday.
Zulfikri reported that the recipients’ loan repayment performance is still considered satisfactory and Mara, as a government body, is flexible in offering loan repayment schemes, including restructuring the repayment period, especially for those experiencing revenue difficulties.
He also said Mara has introduced a digitalisation grant to assist Bumiputera entrepreneurs in transforming their business activities, with a maximum amount of RM20,000. 
We aim to support Bumiputera entrepreneurs in adopting digitalisation in their business operations, including packaging and marketing their products and services,” he said.
Earlier, Zulfikri presented business financing facilities ranging from RM10,000 to RM400,000 to four entrepreneurs. 
Additionally, the four entrepreneurs received a digital starter kit to launch their digital-related business activities.
— BERNAMA