Govt to allocate RM1.52b to empower Bumiputera's economy

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will allocate RM1.52 billion to empower Bumiputera's economy under the 2017 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said.

He said of the amount, RM500 million would be disbursed through the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) to help Bumiputera expand their companies or start a new business.

Najib said Teraju would be allocated RM100 million to assist Bumiputera companies to penetrate the international market through the Export Fund.

"As long as we persevere, we will continue to champion the Malay and Bumiputera empowerment agenda," he said when tabling the 2017 Budget at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

He said the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank would be allocated RM100 million to assist Bumiputera entrepreneurs, while Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (RM100 million) to facilitate various entrepreneurship programmes.

He said Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera would be allocated RM100 million to undertake the Peneraju Skill and Commitment, Peneraju Professional and Peneraju Tunas programmes, while TEKUN would get RM300 million to help entrepreneurs expand their business, including new schemes such as TEMANITA for women micro-entrepreneurs.

He said RM200 million would be to disburse through Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd to implement the Entrepreneurship Funding and Business Premises Programme.

Majlis Amanah Rakyat will get RM120 million to promote various entrepreneurship programmes, including the halal industry, the youth entrepreneurship development and Integrated Entrepreneurship Training Programme, he added. — Bernama