Source From (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jrsme2/Article/
Published: December 20, 2011
Its managing director, Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus, said loan disbursements will focus on projects under the National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) and three financing packages under SME Bank's i-Programme.
"We plan to raise RM3 billion of sukuk in the next three years to fund the SMEs," he said at the launch of the i-Programme by SME called, "i-Surf", "i-Reach" and "i-Splash" at Plaza Sentral here yesterday.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who was present at the launch, said SMEs will be showing better growth than bigger companies next year despite talk of an economic downturn.
"Next year, SMEs are expected to grow by 7.5 per cent and they have been keeping to that momentum for the last two three years.
"Ironically the bigger companies grow in the same pace of GDP (gross domestic product), which would be 5.3 per cent next year and lower than the SMEs," he said.
However, Mukhriz reiterated that SME companies will not be having difficulties obtaining loans or other sort of assistance from the government but said that there may be in for a challenge or two in the coming year.
Mukhriz had earlier launched i-Surf - financing scheme for SME Bank's existing clients with good repayment record; i-Reach - contract financing for the construction sector; and i-Splash - supply contracts financing.
Meanwhile, Mohd Radzif said SME Bank also plans to expand its branch network from 19 to 22 by opening a branch each in Batu Pahat, Kajang and Klang.
"We also plan mini branches in Sungai Petani, Kemaman, Rawang, Pasir Gudang, Lahad Datu, Bintulu and Sandakan," he said, adding that the bank will spend a total of RM1.5 million to set up these branches. By June Ramlee
