KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd (Bank Rakyat) has launched the RAKYATpreneur 2.0 programme today; a social financial initiative to help asnaf entrepreneurs by equipping them with skills and knowledge needed to expand their business.
Launched by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, the six-month long programme, which has an allocation of RM2 million, aims to help 200 asnaf entrepreneurs from all over the country increase their incomes.
“The programme is in line with the ministry’s efforts in helping to develop the capacity and competitiveness of B40 entrepreneurs, including informal entrepreneurs, micro-entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises, to ensure the recovery and sustainability of business operations as the country faces the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Through the programme, more asnaf entrepreneurs could be helped in their bid to improve their economic and social status and drive the country’s economic growth,” said Wan Junaidi in a statement today.
The RAKYATpreneur 2.0 programme is a continuation of the RAKYATpreneur pilot programme launched last December, where participants reported an increase of 10 to 15 percent in their monthly business profits.
Meanwhile, Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Abd Rani Lebai Jaafar said the injection of funds was hoped to help RAKYATpreneur participants in their efforts to continue and develop their businesses, as well as in producing more social entrepreneurs.
“The implementation of RAKYATpreneur 2.0 has been planned comprehensively to ensure that it remains relevant and help to increase participants’ incomes by up to
30 percent, while helping to create future job opportunities at the same time,” he added.