Agrobank offer RM200m

Agrobank Offers Collateral And Guarantor-Free Agri Loans
Bernama: August 01, 2009 16:17 PM
By Mohamad Bakri Darus

MELAKA, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Agrobank is offering collateral-and-guarantor-free loans to small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector through the micro credit scheme worth RM300 million under the stimulus package worth RM300 million.

The bank's Acting Managing Director, Ahmad Said, said the scheme offers a maximum loan of RM50,000 for the production of major food items while those involved in processing, marketing and business operations are eligible for a loan of up to RM20,000."Since it was launched last June, some RM200 million of the fund had yet to be disbured to those who needed start-up capital for their projects," he told Bernama after handing out out tithes from the bank last night.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam officiated at the function.Under the second stimulus package, the government allocated RM300 million through Agrobank as start-up capital for the rakyat to undertake agri and resource-based agricultural activities.Ahmad said entrepreneurs should quickly grab the opportunity to get the loans especially youths and workers who have recently been laid off due to the economic slowdown and wanting to start a new venture.

"If they are keen to rear chickens or breed goats and cows or rear fish in ponds or plant cash crops such as bananas and corn, they can get loans from Agrobank," he said.He said that Agrobank also gave advise and monitored the progress of their projects to ensure that they succeed."Those who are interested can contact the nearest Agrobank branches and if they meet the loan conditions, they would be eligible to get the funds as fast as possible," he said.The repayment period is up to five years.

Meanwhile, Agrobank, formerly known as Bank Pertanian Malaysia before it was corporatised in April 2008, would continue to help develop the agricultural sector and resource-based agri activities as contaiend under its original aims.Agrobank which now has 167 branches including kiosks employs 2,800 people, also offers various other products and services.

Agrobank has also handed out business tithes worth RM1,705,437 last year compared with RM1,320,320 in 2007.In Melaka, Agrobank paid business tithes amounting to RM33,687 to the Melaka Tithe Centre as well as to the poor, orphans and several mosques.

-- BERNAMA

Agrobank tawar RM200 juta

MELAKA - Agrobank mempelawa pengusaha kecil dan sederhana (PKS) dalam bidang pertanian dan industri asas tani yang memerlukan modal, mendapatkannya menerusi skim Mikro Pakej Rangsangan Ekonomi yang mempunyai dana sebanyak RM300 juta.

Pemangku Pengarah Urusan Agrobank, Ahmad Said berkata, pinjaman tanpa penjamin dan cagaran itu, menawarkan pinjaman maksimum RM50,000 bagi kategori pengeluaran utama makanan manakala kategori pemprosesan, pemasaran dan peniagaan sehingga RM20,000.

"Sejak dilancarkan Jun lepas, masih terdapat kira-kira RM200 juta lagi untuk diberikan kepada mereka yang memerlukan modal untuk projek berkaitan,'' katanya kepada Bernama selepas majlis penyerahan wang zakat perniagaan Agrobank 2008 di sini, malam kelmarin.

Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam merasmikan majlis berkenaan.

NOTE: so fellow planters, go and grab it for your agric bizz..