Kota Kinabalu: Women entrepreneurs under the Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) programme in Sabah have recorded a zero per cent “Portfolio At Risk” (PAR), reflecting strong financial discipline and effective business management.
Deputy Chief Minister III and Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the achievement demonstrated the women’s extraordinary commitment to fully repaying their loans without arrears.
“I wish to express my respect and pride for all Sahabat AIM Sabah entrepreneurs. A 0pc PAR means every borrower has successfully repaid her loan.
“This shows the high level of discipline and sound economic management among women entrepreneurs,” he said when officiating the Pinknuari Gala & Legacy Night organised by the Kota Kinabalu Sahabat Ikhtiar Entrepreneurs Club (KUSIKK) at the Sabah International Convention Centre here, recently.
Ewon who is also the Patron of KUSIKK said the achievement not only proves the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development programs but also serves as a model and inspiration for more women to venture into business sustainably.
He also shared several success stories of women entrepreneurs he had previously visited, describing them as proof that micro-businesses can grow with proper guidance and determination.
Under his ministry, Ewon added, various entrepreneurship development initiatives programmes have been introduced and implemented to strengthen Sabah’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and supporting small businesses.
In the event, several outstanding entrepreneurs were honoured and received prestigiusawards.
He said he hopes the success of Sahabat AIM members will continue to inspire more women across the State.
Ewon also invited individual award winners and block leaders to a special engagement session next week to discuss their challenges and proposals, as well as to receive additional incentives as reward and encouragement for demonstrating excellent performances and their achievements.
Among the awards recipients were Most Inspirational Sahabat went to Mariani Ramli, Community Inspirational Sahabat awarded to Satra Nur Izman, Top Volunteer Sahabat to Fashira Bevi, Promising Sahabat to Junie Kamijan, Successful Entrepreneur Sahabat to Taisia Bakrin, KUSIKK Inspirational Sahabat to Noorkiah Mansaat, and Creative and Innovative Sahabat to Sukarni Abd.
Rakah while Best Operational Effectiveness Block went to Bundusan and Donggongon, Penampang.
KUSIKK chairperson Wan Raizah Matsah said the auspicious event was not merely a celebratory dinner but a platform to appreciate the contributions and perseverance of AIM Sahabat members who have overcome various challenges to build sustainable livelihoods.
