KUALA LUMPUR: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) has allocated RM2.5 billion for micro-funding purposes, targeting 400,000 Sahabat AIM (AIM entrepreneurs) to join the entrepreneur financing institution this year.
AIM Board chairman Datuk Junaidah Kiting said as of April last year, a total of RM1.6 billion in funds had been allocated to assist Sahabat AIM, with the membership increasing by 33,000.
“The balance of the allocation will be used to assist new Sahabat AIM. AIM also has a special RM200 million Ramadan fund allocation, which has been successfully distributed to eligible persons.
“AIM has also cumulatively loaned out funds amounting to RM22 billion, helping the poor and low-income earners to increase their household income,” she told reporters during a breaking of fast ceremony here, yesterday.
She said the allocation would help Sahabat AIM to grow their business, as well as allow more women from low-income households (B40) to venture into various businesses.
Meanwhile, Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said the AIM’s efforts of helping women, especially those in the B40 group, was in line with the government’s desire to provide the best service to the people. – Bernama
