RM10 mln spent on AIM program in Sabah so far

TUARAN: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) in Sabah has so far spent RM10 million out of the RM19 million allocated by the government to finance various businesses run in the state this year.

Western Sabah AIM general manager Norashifah Salleh, said the remaining RM9 million would need to be finished over the next four months, by providing loans to ‘Friends of AIM' who required assistance.

"In Tuaran alone, a total of 3,197 AIM friends have taken advantage of the government's financial allocation by taking loans to finance various small businesses.

"The financing proves that AIM is able to help its members expand their small businesses," she said at the Merdeka Family Day and Let's Join AIM Carnival here, yesterday.

The one-day programme was launched by Tuaran parliamentary liaison officer Fairuz Bandar, representing Deputy Chief Minister and Sabah Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.

Norashifah said AIM Sabah, which has always received huge funding from the government, is a body that has helped transform the lives of the rural poor by encouraging them to start small businesses.

"Friends of AIM have to repay the loans obtained according to the set timetable, which ensures that the body can continue operating," he said.

He said the AIM Tuaran chapter was targeting an additional 4,000 members this year, making it the largest branch in the state and the first to have an AIM Entrepreneurs Club. - Bernama