SHAH ALAM - Pelaburan MARA Berhad (PMB), through its subsidiary PMB Tijari Berhad, is targeting to provide RM150 million in financing to assist entrepreneurs who are lacking financial capacity this year.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Norati Ibrahim, stated that this amount would involve up to 100 potential entrepreneurs who could benefit from the financing offered through various financial products.

She mentioned that, from 2021 to date, 12 companies have successfully received help, with a total funding of RM40 million.

“Unlike last year’s allocation, which involved nearly RM210 million in financing, this year’s allocation is reduced due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused many projects to be delayed or unexecuted,” she said.

"This year, we are targeting RM150 million in financing, and we hope to help between 70 and 100 entrepreneurs. The maximum financing limit for a company will be RM5 million,” she added.

She made these remarks during the Signing Ceremony of the Financing Offer Letter to PMB Tijari Entrepreneurs at Wisma PMB on Friday.

Also present were the Chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun; Chairman of Pelaburan MARA, Datuk Azrulnizam Abd Aziz; Chairman of PMB Tijari, Fauzi Rahmat; and the Acting Group CEO of Pelaburan MARA, Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin.

In addition, Norati mentioned that since its establishment in 2014, PMB Tijari has successfully financed nearly 210 entrepreneurs across various sectors, involving almost RM400 million in funds.

She further explained that it is their mandate to help entrepreneurs who struggle to continue their supply processes due to a lack of financial capacity, even though they have secured supply contracts or been appointed as vendors by either the government or private sector.

“These groups, who are often overlooked by banks and other financial institutions, are our target audience. They have different financial needs, and as such, we strive to provide financing to companies that have tenders, orders, or contracts but lack the strong financial resources to grow,” she said.

Norati also emphasized that PMB Tijari would continually monitor the performance and achievements of the companies they support to ensure they are able to repay the financing.

“Our goal is for these companies to continue to grow stronger and eventually be able to be listed on Bursa Malaysia,” she said.

“We believe that through the synergy created, we can increase the number of Bumiputera companies, especially those that are eventually listed.”

“We, as part of the Pelaburan MARA group, fully support MARA's aspiration to uplift Bumiputera entrepreneurs and help expand and strengthen their businesses,” Norati added.

Full Article: Sinar Harian - PMB Tijari sasar RM150 juta bantu usahawan kurang kewangan