CIMB MicroBizReady upskills 112 participants from B40 group

Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Group Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Group (third left, first row) together with CIMB’s team, mentors and part of the third cohort of CIMB MicroBizReady programme, at a recent virtual graduation ceremony.

KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Bank Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd has upskilled 112 participants from the B40 group with sound business knowledge and a solid grasp of digital tools to power their businesses for growth.

CIMB MicroBizReady’s objective is to help micro-SMEs to scale up their businesses with training in digitalisation, business strategy and finance.

Throughout the programme, each participant is assigned a mentor who will guide and evaluate their progress. Mentorship will continue even after they have completed the programme to ensure the entrepreneurs have access to free consultation and advice while they grow their business, ” CIMB said.

Launched in October 2020, CIMB MicroBizReady is run in collaboration with Taylor’s Community.

Since its launch, three cohorts have completed the programme, comprising of general business owners in the Klang Valley, women entrepreneurs and the Asnaf community.

The latest cohort, consisting of a group of 43 participants from the Asnaf community, were recently feted in a virtual graduation ceremony. The ceremony was officiated by Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad, group CEO of CIMB Group and May Wong, head of group communications & corporate social responsibility, Taylor’s Education Group.

“The CIMB MicroBizReady programme is tailored to help future proof micro businesses in reaching their goals and dreams.

“Its objectives reflect CIMB’s commitment to support the SME and B40 communities, underscoring the bank’s aim of becoming a ‘purpose-driven organisation’, an important strategic theme in our Forward23+ business strategy, ”Abdul Rahman said.

Concurrently, CIMB is helping SMEs take advantage of the opportunities presented to them throughout their business journey in a more empowered manner, especially during this challenging period.

The latest cohort included Muhammad Amirul Kamaruddin, owner of Soliloquy Enterprise, specialising in canvas tote bags and various types of apparel as well as Intan Ziana Harun, proprietor of Pasar Mini Coart, selling sundry goods.

In August, a new cohort will undergo similar training, focusing on the differently-abled community.