Extra RM600mil funds for bumis

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has announced additional allocations totalling RM600mil for bumiputra entrepreneurs to help strengthen and propel them to greater heights.

Out of this sum, RM400mil would be set aside under the Economic Planning Unit for the bumiputra entrepreneur funding programme, said Najib.

“The Government agreed to set aside the extra RM400mil to strengthen and develop bumiputra entrepreneurs,” he said at the inaugural Bumiputra Entrepeneurs gathering here yesterday.

The RM600mil includes RM100mil each for Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd to help entrepreneurs get good locations at major retail areas, and for Mara to expand bumiputra corporate equity.

Najib also announced that the limit for small entrepreneurship loans under Tekun Nasional and Mara would be increased from RM50,000 to RM100,000 and that Mara business loans be doubled from RM500,000 to RM1mil.

A Teraju exchange portal and an integrated hotline would also be set up to help bumiputra companies penetrate the international market and answer queries on various programmes.

Advising bumiputra entrepreneurs to be wary of lobbyists or rent seekers and rely on their own talents and capabilities, Najib said: “What they do must be based on merit.

Warm welcome: Najib arriving at the gathering in Kuala Lumpur.

 

“We do not want to give to people who come with referrals and recommendations or the loudest lobbyist but to individuals with true potential and qualifications.”

He also urged bumiputra entrepreneurs to think big and look at penetrating the global market, adding that they should “look at things positively and strive for great things”.

“The global potential is very big. We hope bumiputra entrepreneurs can enhance their productivity and performance,” he added.

Earlier, Bumiputra Entrepreneurs gathering chairman Khairy Jamaluddin said they had come up with six resolutions on how to improve government policies for their betterment.

(Source: The Star Online)