SHAH ALAM: The Selangor state government's initiative to provide financing schemes with less strict conditions since 2020, has helped over 30,000 entrepreneurs earn over RM5,000 per month.
State Housing, Urban Well-being and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Rodziah Ismail (pic) said as of July, Yayasan Hijrah Selangor had approved funding for 72,000 entrepreneurs totalling RM645mil.
"Our capital financing system is easy, fast and does not burden hawkers and petty traders, who have difficulties in raising initial capital and getting additional working capital.
"This involves several types of financing schemes and the value ranges between RM1,000 and RM50,000 and may go as high as RM100,000," she told Bernama.
Rodziah said the programme was introduced to stop entrepreneurs in the state from obtaining loans from unlicensed moneylenders or 'ah long'.
"With the terms and conditions of Hijrah Selangor financing schemes simplified, we saw that many have become less dependent on others, and they are able to run their own business," she said.
Some of the entrepreneurs have also explored and entered foreign markets such as Indonesia, Thailand and China, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Canada.
"The state government has also selected some entrepreneurs to participate in exhibitions and expos abroad to expose them to the international market and find potential business matches," said the Ampang MP.
Meanwhile, Rodziah said the Selangor government will be launching the Selangor Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneur Development Strategic Action Plan 2023-2027.
"The main objective of this strategic plan is to create a holistic and conducive entrepreneurial ecosystem to support an inclusive, balanced and sustainable socioeconomic agenda to increase the number of qualified, viable and resilient entrepreneurs.
"This is also to enhance the capabilities of local entrepreneurs, particularly in the SME sector so that they will continue to progress and remain relevant amid the uncertain economic environment," she said. – Bernama
