KENINGAU: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) Keningau has disbursed RM16.19 million under three financing schemes since 2014, said Mara district officer, Mohd Zairulfiza Mohd Zin.
He told Bernama yesterday that the funds were disbursed via the Express Contract Financing Scheme (SPiKE; RM14.78 million), Business Improvement Loan Scheme (SPiM; RM262,000) and the PUTRA Business Financing Programme (PUTRA; RM1.14 million). He said 151 funding applications were approved under the SPiKE programme, 110 applications for PUTRA and nine applications under SPiM.
“The allocations for the schemes are unlimited, and the amount increases from year to year based on requests. Mara aims to assist the Bumiputera community development in line with the agency’s objective, which is to empower successful and innovative entrepreneurs, and to develop global-minded human capital with integrity,” he said.
On another note, Mohd Zairulfiza said that since 2014, Mara had implemented 38 programmes to empower the Keningau Bumiputera entrepreneurs through knowledge. He added that Mara also offered financing facilities of up to 40 per cent for the purchase of machinery or equipment for technical skills business.
“We have also allocated 21 lots at the Keningau Bazaar and Kedai Keningau 2 for the local entrepreneurs at affordable rental rates,” he said.
Mara had set up its operation in Keningau since 1975, and was in charge of monitoring the GiatMara operations in Keningau, Pensiangan and Tenom, in addition to its two offices at the Rural Transformation Centre in Bayangan and Babagon Baru, Tambunan.
“Mara Keningau also organises seminars to assist small and medium enterprises and sales expositions as an avenue for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to promote their businesses,” he added. — Bernama