KUCHING – CIMB Bank Berhad has pledged RM500 million over the next four years to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak through its newly launched SMEBizReady programme.
Announced at yesterday’s SME Community Outreach Programme (SCOP) at a leading Kuching hotel, the initiative offers tailored support for automation, digital adoption and sustainable business practices.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who also serves as Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, underlined SMEs’ fundamental role in Malaysia’s economy.
He noted that over 96 per cent of all registered businesses nationwide are SMEs, which together account for roughly 40 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product and employ two-thirds of the workforce.
“When small enterprises thrive, they attract fresh investments, expand exports and generate skilled jobs,” Datuk Amar Awang Tengah remarked.
Since 2021, Sarawak has green-lit over RM100 billion in investments across 1,180 projects, creating almost 23,000 new positions for local communities.
Many of these contracts have directly benefited homegrown SMEs serving as suppliers and service providers.
Under SMEBizReady, CIMB will work closely with RECODA (Regional Corridor Development Authority) to extend financing, mentorship and market-access avenues for Sarawak entrepreneurs targeting ASEAN markets.
Core offerings include digitalisation grants, interest subsidies and low-carbon transition financing. SMEs can apply for assistance via any CIMB branch or through the bank’s online portal.
This programme complements a suite of state-level support measures such as the Sarawak Anjung Usahawan centres backed by RM8.4 million and soft-loan schemes totalling RM15.5 million, designed to enhance technical, marketing and management capabilities among local SMEs.
