By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, June 5 — The Selangor government has introduced an enhanced scheme under Platform Selangor (PLATS) to help micro entrepreneurs scale up their businesses.
Dubbed PLATS Biaya, the initiative aims to support entrepreneurs who have demonstrated sustained profitability and effective financial management.
The scheme targets those with a track record with PLATS who have consistently repaid their loans from financial institutions.
The initiative is part of the state government’s broader efforts to bolster economic growth and support small-scale entrepreneurs.
Speaking at its launch, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari highlighted the importance of supporting micro entrepreneurs and creating an ecosystem for them to succeed.
“This scheme is designed to boost entrepreneurs who have already shown promise and dedication.
“By offering them additional support, we hope to enable them to expand their businesses further and contribute more significantly to the state’s economy,” he said in his speech at the launch ceremony today, held at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building here.
Among those present at the event were state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi, Yayasan Hijrah Selangor chief executive officer Datuk Mearia Hamzah, and Menteri Besar (Incorporated) chief executive officer Saipolyazan M. Yusop.
The launch today saw 120 entrepreneurs, vetted from some 30,000 Entrepreneur Development Training Programme participants, granted an additional RM3,000 seed fund each to help them expand their businesses.
[caption id="attachment_359308" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Platform Selangor ambassadors hold up PLATS Biaya placards at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building, Shah Alam, on June 5, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
PLATS Biaya also offers financial aid, training and resources to help entrepreneurs enhance operations and achieve greater success.
The initiative is specially funded by Hijrah Selangor.
Amirudin said the act of providing seed funding for entrepreneurs was to build a robust middle-class community.
“We want to strengthen and expand micro (businesses) … until they can become small or medium enterprises. This has been a long-term effort.
“Over the past five to six years, we have spent a significant amount (to this end), even though the expenditure in the last three or four years has not been as large as in the earlier years. But in total, we have spent RM250 to RM260 million.
“The cycle of loans has reached more than RM560 million. What I want to emphasise is that this state is trying to enhance entrepreneurship holistically.
“I am not the type of person who seeks shortcuts or resolves issues with quick fixes to gain popularity through populism, such as by offering free grants or simply giving out monetary aid. We must look at the long term,” he said.
