RM3 bln loans approved for 6,840 SMEs – Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 – Loans totalling RM3 billion have been approved and accepted by 6,840 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the government’s easy financing scheme until May 5, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said.

The amount was an increase from RM1.5 billion extended to 3,363 SMEs until April 26.

He said the majority of the amount came from the Special Relief Facility (SRF) where SMEs could apply for up to RM1 million in financing at a 3.5 per cent interest rate, of which 80 per cent of the total funding is guaranteed.v

"The response to this facility has been very encouraging and I hope it will be utilised to the fullest," he said when presenting the Unit for the Implementation and Coordination of National Agencies on the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package’s (Laksana) fourth report today.