Agrobank Allocates RM50 Mln To Financing Scheme AgroPintar For Microentrepreneurs

KOTA KINABALU, July 6 (Bernama) -- Agrobank has allocated RM50 million to facilitate microfinancing access through its Agro Pintar Niaga Programme (AgroPintar), alongside an additional RM5 million in i-TEKAD matching grants.

Its group president Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said in a statement yesterday that the programme will support microenterprises through business and contract farming financing schemes to benefit more than 4,000 microentrepreneurs, particularly from the low-income communities.

“AgroPintar is a holistic programme that offers not just financing and i-TEKAD grant matching. It also has essential modules on entrepreneurship and business ethics,” he said at the programme’s launch yesterday.

“It places strong emphasis on financial literacy, covering areas such as financial management, credit risk control and debt management,” he said.

Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah, who is also Agrobank’s chief executive officer, said the ultimate goal is to enhance the competitiveness and decision-making capabilities of microentrepreneurs and help them make more effective business decisions.

Through structured guidance, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to make sound financial and business decisions, ultimately improving their capacity to manage various aspects of their businesses efficiently.

“Furthermore, we will monitor the programme's impact and effectiveness six months later after the participants have joined,” he said.

The programme aligns with the bank’s mission to nurture resilient, forward-thinking and sustainable entrepreneurs over the long term, drive positive economic outcomes and foster social development among microentrepreneurs, the statement said.

The programme was spearheaded by the bank’s centre of excellence (ACE) and microfinance division, reflecting its ongoing commitment to empowering microentrepreneurs across Malaysia.

At the same event, Agrobank also launched the financial literacy video series, developed in strategic collaboration with the Financial Education Network (FEN). The 12-episode series features popular social media influencer Sir Asai.

The initiative is tailored to promote financial awareness among school students using fun and accessible content. It aims to instil healthy financial habits through the 3S approach — Spend, Save and Share — and encourages the younger generation to adopt responsible money management from an early age.

-- BERNAMA