KUALA LUMPUR: The RM50 million special fund allocated specifically for Indian entrepreneurs and women through the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) programme is a significant initiative that can help empower and ensure a more secure future for Indian women in the country.
Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (MAICCI) Women's Wing chairman Hemala Sivam, said the announcement was a new chapter that recognises the struggle of Indian women entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
"The MAICCI Women's Wing would like to express gratitude to the government, especially to the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan, for spearheading a meaningful initiative through the solid cooperation, support and commitment from Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).
"Many women need support, cooperation, guidance and funding to advance their businesses. Many of them also want their businesses to be further empowered to a better level or to progress further.
"Certainly, the announcement of this RM50 million fund can elevate the future of PENN women Indian entrepreneurs in the country to a more assured level," she said in a statement.
Last Saturday, Ramanan announced that AIM had allocated a special fund of RM50 million to empower Indian women entrepreneurs through the Prosperity Empowerment and PENN programme.
He said the allocation, which utilises AIM's internal funds, would benefit over 7,100 new Indian Entrepreneurs Friends and would increase the total number of beneficiaries of the AIM Ikhtiar Loan Scheme to 10,200 individuals, including 3,100 existing Entrepreneur Friends.
He said that the AIM initiative was in line with efforts to realise the desire and hope of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to ensure that no citizens are left behind in the nation-building effort.
Hemala added that MAICCI was ready to assist the ministry and AIM in ensuring the success of the PENN programme nationwide through strategic cooperation, especially through awareness campaigns.
"The involvement, participation, and increased presence of Indian women entrepreneurs will undoubtedly enhance this programme.
"I am confident that more women entrepreneurs can be nurtured through this programme, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the country's economic development."
