KUALA LUMPUR: The 2016 Budget is a complete package for entrepreneurs although the implementation must be closely monitored, said Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB).
Under the 2016 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a total allocation of RM10.5 billion for small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), including RM107 million under the SME Masterplan.
PUNB director Datuk Jamelah Abu Bakar said out of the total, RM250 million is allocated to PUNB, RM500 million to SME Bank and RM200 million micro financing for the bottom 40 per cent of the population to Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.
“From the perspective of the entrepreneur, the budget package this time is very complete, so we hope existing and prospective entrepreneurs grab the opportunity.
“However, the implementation has to be monitored,” she said on TV1’s ‘Feminin’ television programme today.
Jamelah said PUNB’s approach in creating entrepreneurs is to guide them along the way, with the backing of successful companies such as Mydin, Habib Jewels and Jakel.
For example, she said, Mydin has over the years played an active part in assisting PUNB by taking the entrepreneurs to India and educating them about the textile industry.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, on the other hand, PUNB organises a seminar every Monday at KL Sentral to educate them on the proper way to start their businesses.
On the 2016 Budget as a whole, she said the prime minister managed to cover all aspects of society especially with the higher allocation for Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) and tax relief for children who take care of their parents.
However, Jamelah said, the automotive sector had been overlooked in the 2016 Budget announcement but she believed this would soon be corrected.
“I believe this oversight is not intentional, and with the prime minister’s caring personality, he would probably call industry players, especially Proton and Perodua, to a special session,” she added.--BERNAMA