GOVT COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING INDIAN ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH VARIOUS INITIATIVES

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The government is committed to ensuring that Indian community and entrepreneurs in the country continue to receive support through the implementation of various entrepreneurship and career development programmes.

In fact, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said that under the 2025 Budget, the government has allocated RM130 million for the benefit of the Indian community, RM100 million of which was allocated to the Malaysian India Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) and the other RM30 million to the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) under Tekun Nasional.

Other than that, he said the government is also providing various forms of assistance to the community through the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), with an increase in financing funds for entrepreneurs, amounting to RM136 million.

“This includes the initiatives under KUSKOP, such as the Prosperity, Empowerment and A New Normal (PENN) programme under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) with an allocation of RM50 million; the Bank Rakyat Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i (BRIEF-i) programme at RM50 million.

“Also, the Business Accelerator Programme for small Indian-owned companies (I-BAP) at RM6 million, and the SPUMI Goes Big programme at RM30 million. This does not include one-off assistance for Indian cooperatives to kick-start their activities,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2025 at Dewan Rakyat today.

Ramanan said that as of today, 2,644 Indian women have benefited from the PENN programme, which involves an allocation of RM22.7 million.

“From the RM50 million allocated to the BRIEF-i programme, nearly RM40 million has already been used, with 384 large- and medium-scale entrepreneurs receiving this assistance.

“Meanwhile, applications for the I-BAP matching grant were opened three weeks ago and received a good response, with the grant now closed as we have exceeded the allocated amount of RM6 million,” he said.

In this regard, the deputy minister also encouraged Indian entrepreneurs to seize all available opportunities and initiatives to improve the Indian community’s economic status, while also helping to stimulate the country’s economy.

On the call for additional allocation for MITRA, he said that the matter is currently being reviewed and is under the government's consideration.

“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) is deeply committed to ensuring the welfare and future of the Indian community. He will ensure that the wellbeing and future of the Indian community are always cared for, with attention given to ensuring they benefit from the country’s development in line with the aspirations of  Malaysia MADANI,” he said.

-- BERNAMA