BSN Micro MADANI Carnival An Initiative To Boost Malaysian Micro Entrepreneurs
KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) — The launch of Bank Simpanan Nasional's (BSN) Micro MADANI Carnival at Pasar Payang, Kuala Terengganu is an inclusive, community-focused initiative to empower micro-entrepreneurs and to support local economic growth.
BSN chief executive Jay Khairil said the carnival is part of BSN’s long-term commitment to empower microeconomic development in Malaysia.
“To date, BSN has disbursed over RM5 billion in micro-financing to nearly 170,000 micro-entrepreneurs nationwide.
“This is clear evidence that we not only support business growth but also build community resilience,” he said in a statement during the carnival launch.
Kuala Terengganu mayor Datuk Jusman Ibrahim officiated the launch to symbolise strong local authority support for the community-level micro-entrepreneurship development.
Jay said the carnival serves as a one-stop platform bringing together micro-entrepreneurs, government agencies, financial institutions, and industry partners to share knowledge, expand networks, and promote local services and products.
Various services such as financial counselling, finance restructuring, and new financing programmes, including the Micro MADANI Scheme, were introduced.
“Among the key initiatives announced during the carnival is BSN Micro Community, a comprehensive ecosystem covering financing, capacity building, marketing, and digitalisation.
“This initiative saw significant impact with over 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs upgraded to SMEs, 14,800 job opportunities created, more than 13,000 businesses reporting increased sales, and 1,400 business assets acquired and improved,” he said.
He said the carnival also highlighted business matching through strategic collaborations such as the Modern Trade Ready Programme with AEON Malaysia and digital market penetration opportunities via platforms like TikTok Shop.
“Also during the event, a memorandum of understanding exchange took place between BSN and several strategic partners including the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council, TikTok Shop Malaysia, SME Bank, and the Credit Counseling and Management Agency (AKPK) with support from the Prison Department Malaysia.
“This collaboration aims to strengthen the micro-entrepreneurship ecosystem, expand outreach to affected groups, and support Islamic social finance agendas such as the iTEKAD Programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jay said to expand social impact, BSN, together with AKPK, supports the Tenunan Songket Community Centre initiative at the Terengganu State Prison through the iTekad BSN MulaNiaga programme under the Islamic Social Finance framework.
“BSN is proud to be part of this initiative that opens opportunities for individuals in the rehabilitation phase to transform through life skills courses, especially in the field of songket weaving.
“This 18-month programme targets 20 participants with support including raw materials, equipment, entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, and a RM10,000 starting grant per person,” he said.
He explained that BSN’s goal is to ensure no Malaysian is left behind by continuously supporting communities from diverse backgrounds, including vulnerable groups, to build better and competitive livelihoods.
— BERNAMA