Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced an additional RM6 million grant for the government’s iTekad programme.
Established by Bank Negara Malaysia, the programme is a social finance initiative which provides seed capital, micro-financing and structured training to low-income microentrepreneurs to help them start and sustain their businesses.
Speaking at an iTekad event at Sasana Kijang here today, Anwar called for more banks to take part in the programme. He hopes to raise the number of participating financial institutions from 11 to 20 before the year ends.
“(This programme) has been a success with the finance ministry’s initial funding of RM4 million.
“(Given that) the track record has been good, assuming the number of participating banks increases from 11 to 20 this year and there are additional funds from Bank Negara Malaysia, I will increase the programme’s funds to RM10 million,” he said.
Anwar also emphasised the importance of eradicating corruption and ensuring impeccable governance of the programme to maximise its efficiency.
“We also need to emphasise the human side of things and not just focus on profit,” he said.
