Kuala lumpur: Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) has introduced PROSPER Impact e-Perolehan, a financing scheme specially to help entrepreneurs implement government projects under the e-Perolehan system. PUNB chief executive officer Izwan Zainuddin said the scheme, launched on Oct 1, was a syariah-compliant scheme that offered working capital between RM100,000 and RM5 million, and would indirectly help bumiputera entrepreneurs secure government contracts without worrying about the lack of working capital.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this scheme was introduced based on feedback from entrepreneurs in engagement sessions held frequently to gather input on their needs across Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak. Currently, PUNB has approved almost RM10 million in financing with around 20 companies still in the evaluation process, indicating a positive response. Entrepreneurs can secure financing at a profit rate of up to 6.5 percent with a financing period of up to five years or subject to the contract period, with financing of up to 90 percent of the contract value and a 21-working day approval period.

For the upcoming year, PUNB aims to approve RM100 million under the PROSPER Impact e-Perolehan, targeting 60 to 90 entrepreneurs. Since its establishment, PUNB has supported 1,623 entrepreneurs in the north region, providing financing exceeding RM765 million, and identified 344 entrepreneur partners as active till now. From January to October, PUNB approved RM25.5 million in business financing for 54 companies in the north region, with RM9.4 million channelled to 17 companies in Penang, surpassing the targeted RM22.14 million.

The sectors with the most entrepreneurs include food and beverages, motor vehicles, clothes, textiles and accessories, retail, and appliances and engineering services. Over 200 entrepreneur partners and bumiputera entrepreneurs from the north region, including Penang, Kedah, Perlis, and northern Perak, participated in the one-day PUNB northern region entrepreneur networking session, which featured a briefing on PROSPER Impact e-Perolehan.

PUNB has also taken a strategic step to enhance the resilience of its entrepreneur partners by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK). This agreement, signed by Izwan on behalf of PUNB and AKPK chief executive officer Azaddin Ngah Tasir, is a proactive measure to ensure PUNB entrepreneur partners can expand their business sustainably. The MoU enables PUNB to be recognised as a Participating Financial Institution, providing free access to its entrepreneur partners to various AKPK services, including financial education, advice, and credit management programmes.

Azaddin noted that over 6,200 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) have benefited from the credit management programme, involving financing worth RM6 billion, which has helped restore operations and stabilize finances. This initiative aims to improve governance, resilience, and build business sustainability, aligning with AKPK's role as a catalyst for the country's financial well-being.

For more information on PUNB initiatives and financing, visit www.punb.com.my or its social media @punbofficial.