CIMB Islamic, Taylor’s grant to uplift B40 earnings
KUCHING: A total of 107 small business owners who are residents of five Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) across the Klang Valley, received a much-needed boost today when they were awarded with grants totalling RM460,000 through an entrepreneurship programme, spearheaded by Taylor’s Education Group (Taylor’s) and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd (CIMB Islamic).
The programme, called “Program Keusahawanan Taylor’sCIMB Islamic” is aimed at empower families in the B40 group to uplift their earnings’ ability through up-skilling and entrepreneurship.
During the initial stage of the programme, more than 120 participants attended a series of motivational and educational workshops by successful entrepreneurs, academicians and past grant recipients, to equip them with the necessary business skills and know-how.
Subsequently, those who showed significant improvements in their businesses and operations were selected to present their business plan to a judging panel comprising representatives from Taylor’s and CIMB Islamic. The 107 winners were then chosen based on the soundness of their business plans.
“CIMB Islamic is very pleased to partner with Taylor’s Education Group to equip these business owners with the skills, know-how and guidance, so that they are empowered to take their businesses to the next level,” CIMB Islamic chief executive officer Mohamed Rafe Haneef said.
“Corporate social responsibility is a concept that is very much aligned with Islam’s basic principle of inclusivity in society, which is to ensure that all its members are enabled to prosper and benefit from the nation’s economic progress.
“By boosting the entrepreneurial skills of 107 business owners, we aim to create a long-term and sustainable impact, not only economically but also socially, by inspiring and giving courage to others to start their own businesses.
“This will eventually result in a virtuous cycle of viable businesses being created to continuously support the nation’s growth.”
Given the success of the entrepreneurial programme, Taylor’s and CIMB Islamic are planning to collaborate in the second phase of the programme, scheduled to be rolled out in 2019.
The second phase, known as “Program Keusahawanan 2.0” will see the creation of “Program Keusahawanan Universiti”, “Program Keusahawanan Marketplace”, and “Program Keusahawanan Digital” as a platform for the entrepreneurs to continuously learn and link to business opportunities.