Agrobank-MAINJ Programme Boosts Small Entrepreneurs

By Nur Faradilla Mohamad

MERSING, March 28 (Bernama) -- Instead of spending almost two hours preparing in the kitchen, a small entrepreneur here can save time on the cooking process with new, more efficient equipment.

That routine improved after receiving RM5,000 financing under Agrobank's collaborative programme with the Johor State Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) for the development programme for asnaf entrepreneurs.

After almost a decade of running a food business without an assistant, Nordiana Mesnon, 36, and husband Aidil Nor Abdul Majid, 45, see the financial support as a boost for their business.

Originally from Pontian, Nordiana said the funding was used to purchase and upgrade equipment such as a three-burner stove, sink and grill equipment.

"Before, I only used a regular stove, but now with these three stoves, we can finish cooking in an hour, and the work is faster," she told Bernama recently.

The mother of four said the change also improved her ability to prepare for a larger menu, including roti canai, which can now be produced twice as much as before.

“It was five pieces at a time earlier, now it can be up to 10 pieces... from there we can see the difference," she said.

She said the opportunity to participate in the programme came after attending an entrepreneurship seminar in Johor Bahru that brought together several financial institutions, before her application was approved in December last year.

According to her, monthly repayments without additional charges also provide relief because they do not burden the cash flow of small businesses like hers, in addition to the challenge of uncertain customer demand

“There are times when customers are few, but I continue because this is our source of income,” she said, hoping that her business can be further developed and attract more customers.

Meanwhile, Agrobank group president and chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said the micro entrepreneur financing programme offers 0 per cent profit rate financing of up to RM10,000 to the asnaf group, for a period of up to five years.

He said the special scheme under MAINJ was recommended by relevant agencies as capital support to start or expand small businesses.

The programme, he said, aims to help the group generate sustainable income through access to financing without profit charges and support for business capacity development.

"Participants also receive training and financial management advisory services through the 'Agrobank Centre of Excellence' (ACE), to improve management skills and business competitiveness," he said.

Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah said the bank is focusing on providing easily accessible financing, developing the capacity of entrepreneurs and promoting digitalisation to ensure that small and micro enterprises grow sustainably.

"We hope the community development programme can improve the socio-economy of participants and expand to more entrepreneurs in the future," he said.

-- BERNAMA