Local News
@ Halal | September-October . 2022
Empowering 42 asnaf and B40 groups It is first-in-market initiative for pre-franchise entrepreneurs
RHB Islamic Bank Berhad (“ RHB Islamic ” or “ Bank ”) and Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (“ PERNAS ”), owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (“ MOF Inc .”) and an entrepreneur and franchise industry development agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (“ MECD ”), have partnered to launch the “ B40 Empowerment Strategy - Be Your Own Boss ” (“ BEST-BYOB ”) Programme aimed at empowering 42 pre-franchise micro-entrepreneurs from the asnaf and B40 segments through the utilisation of zakat in the form of grants .
The BEST-BYOB Programme combines the unique strengths of PERNAS ’ BYOB Project and RHB Islamic ’ s BEST programme . Together , the enhanced programme creates an even more sustainable , holistic and competitive entrepreneurship course to benefit pre-franchise business owners , especially those from asnaf and B40 backgrounds .
In addition , it is also a first-in-market initiative for pre-franchise entrepreneurs that offers zakat assistance and a comprehensive SME solutions package .
They will also assist entrepreneurs with financial support . The BEST-BYOB Programme offers two unique initiatives that equip younger and older micro-entrepreneurs with the assistance and knowledge to help them grow their businesses . It includes structured training , business matching , financing and business monitoring for six months upon starting the business .
“ The BEST-BYOB Programme pools together valuable resources and provides access to mentorship and guidance for micro-entrepreneurs based on the Business In Transformation (“ BIT ”) pre-franchise system ,” said Dato ’ Adissadikin Ali , Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of RHB Islamic Bank Berhad .
“ Under this programme , they may apply for grants of up to RM10,000 , which is part of RHB Islamic ’ s zakat Wakalah initiative totalling RM500,000 and additional financing under the BIT Pre-Franchise Financing Scheme .
“ This initiative further expands our RHB Harmoni ecosystem , particularly the adoption of Value-based Intermediation ( VBI ) in generating positive and sustainable impact on the economy and implementing Islamic social finance .
“ It also reflects our support towards iTEKAD , an initiative under Bank Negara Malaysia designated to mobilise social finance instruments such as zakat , wakaf and sadaqah . We look forward to extending even more support to eligible asnaf and B40 microentrepreneurs to help them build financial resilience and generate sustainable income .”
Eligible participants under BEST-BYOB will be matched with various pre-franchise brands under the BIT pre-franchise system , such as Nab Peneram , Mekeria , Bubur Ayam Dahlia , Uncle Putu Piring , Golden Takoyaki and many others . BIT pre-franchise brand owners also benefit from the RHB SME e-Solution Package service by RHB Islamic , providing them access to comprehensive internet banking and business account facilities .
“ The synergy and strategic partnership between PERNAS and RHB Islamic through the BEST-BYOB program will benefit both parties and create a positive impact economically and socially ,” said Mazlan Ibrahim , Acting Chief Executive Officer of Perbadanan Nasional Berhad .
Entrepreneurs accepted under the BEST- BYOB Programme may choose to participate in either the Successful Women Entrepreneurship Engagement Talent (“ SWEET ”) for Muslim women aged between 21 to 60 years and the Young Entrepreneurship Engagement Talent (“ YOUNITY ”) for Muslim youths aged between 21 to 40 years .
MIDA collaborates with Kedah government to highlight investment landscape and potential
THE Malaysian Investment Development Authority ( MIDA ), in collaboration with the Kedah government , organised the Invest Series : Unfolding States ‘ Business Potential ’ - Kedah programme recently at Perdana Hall , MIDA Sentral , Kuala Lumpur .
This programme was held to provide the business community with the latest updates on development and investment opportunities in Kedah and a platform for participants to network with relevant State government agencies .
A total of 300 participants were present at the event , covering various backgrounds , such as captains of industry , business associations / organisations ; senior management from the manufacturing and services sectors ; entrepreneurs ; academicians ; and government officials .
The programme began with a welcome address by Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman , Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) of MIDA . It was followed by remarks by Dato ’ Wira Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail , Senior Kedah State Executive Council ( EXCO ) Member ( Industry & Investment , Higher Education , Science , Technology & Innovation ), who addressed the Kedah ’ s investment aspirations based on the Kedah Development Plan 2035 .
“ Despite the challenging global economic environment , Kedah has been one of the top five ( 5 ) states for investment by the business community . From January to June 2022 , there were 71 approved projects in Kedah with
Wira Arham Abdul Rahman .
Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail .
From Left : Muhamad Mahazi Ibrahim , Chief Executive Officer , Invest Kedah Berhad ; Fajaffri Mohd Fadzil , Director , Investment Department , Northern Corridor Implementation Authority ( NCIA ); Dato ’ Wira Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail , Senior State Executive Council Member of Kedah Industry & Investment , Higher Education , Science , Technology & Innovation ; Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman , Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ), MIDA ; Dato ’ P ’ ng Soo Hong , Vice President and Managing Director of Manufacturing Operations , First Solar Malaysia Sdn . Bhd .; Che Abdul Khalid Md Din , Chief Operating Officer , Kulim Technology Park Corporation ( KTPC ); and Razwin Sulairee Hasnan Termizi , Chief Executive Officer , Northern Gateway Sdn . Bhd .
a total investment of RM9.7 billion . More than half of these investments were from foreign sources , recording a total of RM8.9 billion . These projects will be instrumental in creating over 3,209 job opportunities .” said Arham .
Ku Abd Rahman added in Kedah , all investment-related agencies worked as a team with the same purpose and objective , which was to facilitate investment and attract more investments to Kedah .
“ Kedah has experienced a tremendous economic transformation from agriculture to manufacturing . For the manufacturing sector , Kedah is fortunate to have the Kulim Hi-Tech Park ( KHTP ) as a catalyst , which is already
known as one of the well-established technology parks in the world ,” said Ku Abd Rahman .
The key success of Kedah in attracting investments to the state is due to the state government ’ s focus on post investment activities , which prioritises taking care of investors ’ needs since their first day of operation in Kedah .”
Kedah is actively promoting itself as an attractive investment destination to investors such as Bukit Kayu Hitam Halal and Logistic Centre , Bukit Selambau Industrial Area , Gurun Industrial Area , KHTP Smart SME Park , Kulim Industrial Corridor , Northern Technocity and Padang Meha Industrial Area .