PUNB allocates RM1 mln to produce 100 young entrepreneurs

MELAKA: Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Malaysia (PUNB) has allocated RM1 million to produce 100 young entrepreneurs at the institutions of higher learning through the ‘Budding PUMA’ programme this year, said chairman Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam.

He said the entrepreneurial programme, which targeted to attract full-time students of the institutes of higher learning aged below 30 years, had received eight applications and two had been approved.

Mohd Ali said the programme offered Islamic financing of between RM1,000 and RM10,000 by imposing a fixed profit margin of two per cent per year.

He said students in the final semester were not eligible to apply.

“Hence, I urge the younger generation to take the opportunity to apply for ‘Budding Puma’ and those who are interested to get further information on this scheme through punb.com.my’s website to download the form,” he told reporters yesterday.

Earlier, Mohd Ali officiated the Bumiputera Young Entrepreneurs Symposium at the Melaka International Trade Centre, Ayer Keroh here today.

Also present were Melaka’s Local Government, Local Government and Environment Excutive Councillor, Ismail Othman, PUNB’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Azhar Ahmad and board member, Datuk Jamelah A. Bakar.

Mohd Ali said the programme included healthcare, trade, food truck business, fashion and lifestyle, e-commerce, education, food and drink, and creative arts.

He said PUNB also worked with SME Development Bank Malaysia Bhd and Kolej University Islamic Melaka to accelerate the development of young entrepreneurs through the scheme.

“I hope that the cooperation will be productive in helping to build this young entrepreneur actively and consistently,” he said. — Bernama