Perak: The Agrobank Upward Migration (AUM) programme has significantly boosted sales among small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs in Perak, reaching RM6.05 million in 2025 and strengthening the state's food security sector.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, the president and group chief executive officer (CEO) of Agrobank, attributed this achievement to the enhanced performance of the 27 companies participating in the programme. These companies experienced a 42.21 per cent increase in sales compared to the previous year. "This reflects the effectiveness of the AUM programme in enhancing competitiveness and strengthening the business capacity of local entrepreneurs," he stated in a statement released during the AUM Perak Excellence Aspiration Ceremony.
The ceremony, attended by notable figures such as Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (SADC) CEO Mohd Azhar Mohd Yusof and Agrobank chief development officer Ahmad Ariff Abu Bakar, highlighted the programme's contribution to local economic development. Eleven companies expanded their operations and created new jobs for the community. Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah emphasized the platform's role in recognizing Perak-based entrepreneurs who have demonstrated strong performance.
Through structured guidance and continuous support from Agrobank, six companies secured additional financing amounting to RM319,000 under the AUM programme. A total of 41 entrepreneurs in Perak participated in the programme and were acknowledged at the ceremony for their achievements. Agrobank also recognized five companies for their top performance in categories such as sales growth, business expansion, job creation, and capacity enhancement in both technology and financing.
The AUM programme is a 12-month entrepreneurial development initiative integrating theoretical learning with practical application. Participants engage in both physical and online training sessions, along with one-to-one coaching at their business premises. The modules cover various aspects including financial management, digital marketing, business planning, and corporate-standard management practices.
In addition, the ceremony featured Mohd Azhar presenting certificates to participants of the Perak SADC Entrepreneur Guidance Programme, a corporation-sponsored initiative that provides mentoring from the Agrobank Centre of Excellence (ACE). This programme aims to empower entrepreneurs under Perak SADC through structured training and continuous guidance. Ten participants completed the programme, benefiting from a series of training sessions and comprehensive coaching. As a result, these entrepreneurs recorded substantial performance gains, with cumulative sales increasing by 211 per cent to RM1.6 million compared to pre-programme levels.