TANJUNG MALIM: The National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional) has disbursed RM8.3 billion in micro-financing since its establishment in 1998 up to March this year.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Saraswathy Kandasami said the funding, which was channeled through 170 of its branches nationwide, had benefited 752,177 entrepreneurs.
"The government remains committed to helping local entrepreneurs expand their businesses. Tekun Nasional provides not only financing facilities, but also advisory services and business networks," she said in her speech when launching the Perak Entrepreneur Day Tour 2023@Jualan Ambang Aidilfitri in Mualim district, here, today.
She added that Tekun Nasional provides financing from RM1,000 to RM200,000 for entrepreneurs developing their businesses.
In Perak alone, it has channeled RM546 million towards micro-financing, including RM52.8 million through the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme, which has benefited 3,932 entrepreneurs.
Besides Tekun Nasional, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, another agency under the ministry, has helped over 300,000 female entrepreneurs through seven schemes which offer loans ranging from RM5,000 to RM30,000.
Meanwhile, Saraswathy said apart from capital, lack of experience and not having the right advice are among the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in this country.
As such, the ministry, through the National Entrepreneurship Institute, provides guidance and entrepreneurial capacity development programmes to help entrepreneurs increase their sales.
The guidance programme also covers the latest business trends such as digitalisation, dropshipping, e-commerce, freelancing and online business.
"Guidance services are provided from the basic steps of starting a business to domestic and international marketing coaching," she said. --Bernama