AGROBANK CONTINUES TO EMPOWER LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH AUM PROGRAMME

SHAH ALAM, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Agrobank continues to strengthen its commitment to developing local entrepreneurs through the Agrobank Upward Migration (AUM) programme, with a particular focus on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the food security sector.

Agrobank group president and chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said the initiative, implemented by the Agrobank Centre of Excellence since 2021, is designed to support entrepreneurs in scaling up their operations while contributing to the country’s economic growth.

He said the AUM programme, which ran from December 2023 to January 2025, recorded encouraging progress with the participation of 73 companies representing five state coalitions.

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“Of the 73 companies that completed the AUM programme across the five state coalitions, 57 recorded an increase in sales, with 34 achieving growth of more than 20 per cent.

“In addition, 15 companies managed to secure additional financing amounting to RM9,221,000,” he said when met after the AUM excellence aspiration ceremony here yesterday.

He said the 12-month structured programme comprised both physical and online classroom training sessions, along with on-site coaching at the entrepreneurs’ premises. The modules covered key areas, including Financial Management, Digital Marketing, Business Target Setting, and Corporate-style Business Management.

He added that the programme also provided one-to-one coaching, allowing entrepreneurs to receive guidance tailored to their specific business needs, thereby helping them build sustainable and future-ready enterprises.

“This learning module creates opportunities for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs who have the potential to expand their businesses further.

“In today’s competitive landscape, they can apply the skills and knowledge gained through the programme to enhance their competitiveness while ensuring the sustained survival and growth of their enterprises,” he said.

At the event, Agrobank recognised 10 companies that demonstrated outstanding achievements in the categories of Sales Growth, Business Expansion, Job Creation, Capacity Building (Technology), and Capacity Building (Financing).

Recipient of the Capacity Building (Technology) award, Alif Dzulfarhan Mohamad Shaharudin, 35, said the ruminant feed mill he inherited from his father has recorded a 60 per cent increase in output, generating a minimum profit of about RM100,000 per month.

He said the marketing and account management modules were especially valuable, as they greatly assisted him in managing and strengthening his business operations in Batu Kikir, Negeri Sembilan.

“For me, the AUM programme has been extremely helpful, particularly in financial planning, marketing and understanding how to develop new markets. The financial planning component is especially important, as it guides us in managing daily cash flow to ensure smooth business operations,” he said, adding that he is targeting a monthly income of RM1 million starting next year.

Another recipient, Mohd Shafie Md Isa said the programme enabled him to view his business more holistically, beyond simply selling duck eggs and salted eggs to livestock feed suppliers, ultimately helping him generate more optimal income.

“Before this, I didn’t even know whether we were making a profit or a loss. We were running the business rather blindly and could only guess if there was any profit at all.

“…after joining the Agrobank coaching group, it really helped us understand our actual profit and loss, and guided us in planning the appropriate improvements,” said 43-year-old Mohd Shafie, who was recognised under the Sales Growth category.

-- BERNAMA