Meeting of minds: Ramanan (right) attending a meeting at the Tekun Nasional headquarters in Bandar Tasik Selatan. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Aspiring entrepreneurs can look forward to good news in 2024.
The National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional) has allocated more than RM600mil in business funding for 33,300 informal and micro-entrepreneurs nationwide next year.
Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk R. Ramanan said between January and November this year, Tekun Nasional had disbursed RM995.6mil to 45,600 entrepreneurs.
“The sum is expected to hit RM1bil by year-end,” he said.
Among the recipients were 2,100 entrepreneurs from the Indian community, who received business loans amounting to RM39.9mil.
“As for next year, RM30mil out of the RM600mil allocated will be awarded to 1,800 Indian entrepreneurs.
“Tekun Nasional has performed very well in channelling the funds. In view of the funds given out this year, I believe Tekun Nasional will achieve its goal of channelling the RM600mil to more entrepreneurs next year,” Ramanan said after attending a meeting at the Tekun Nasional headquarters in Bandar Tasik Selatan here yesterday.
He urged entrepreneurs who are seeking business capital to approach Tekun Nasional.
“Tekun Nasional is prepared to help and this is a good opportunity for entrepreneurs. In the past, to apply for a loan from Tekun Nasional, applicants were required to submit 17 supporting documents, but now, it has been reduced to just four, including the MyKad.
“There are many success stories of those who received financial aid from Tekun Malaysia and ventured into business.
“Among them are two disabled entrepreneurs, one who set up a car repair business, and another who opened barber shops. They are now millionaires,” he said.
Ramanan said there are 171 Tekun Nasional branches nationwide and an additional two are expected to open in Sabah next year.
Also present were Tekun Nasional chairman Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid and chief executive officer Datuk Adam Abd Ghani.
Since it’s establishment in 1998, Tekun Nasional has provided funding amounting to RM9.05bil to 571,903 entrepreneurs.
Ramanan said throughout the period, RM437.5mil was disbursed to 24,790 Indian entrepreneurs.
