PUTRAJAYA: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) nationwide can begin applying for financing under Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) RM5 billion SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SME SRF) starting May 15.
Under the initiative, eligible SMEs may apply for financing of up to RM750,000 with a maximum interest or profit rate of 3.75pc per annum.
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The facility will be channelled through 18 participating financial institutions, including Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad (Bank Rakyat) and SME Bank under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Kuskop). Applications for the financing scheme will remain open until Dec 31, or until the full RM5 billion allocation has been fully utilised.
In a statement, Kuskop urged all participating financial institutions to expedite the application, approval and disbursement processes under the SME SRF through procedures that are faster, more flexible and SME-friendly.
The Ministry said immediate assistance is crucial for businesses affected by current economic uncertainties and global energy supply challenges.
Kuskop also called on financial institutions to continue playing their role as strategic partners to SMEs by adopting a more inclusive and practical approach in evaluating financing applications, particularly those involving micro-enterprises and small businesses.
The Ministry noted that the new RM5 billion allocation from BNM, together with an additional RM5 billion in guarantees provided by Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan (SJPP), has increased the total allocation and funding for the SME sector this year from RM50 billion announced under Budget 2026 to RM60 billion.
According to Kuskop, the increase reflects the Madani Government’s commitment to supporting a more competitive Malaysian SME sector despite challenges arising from the global energy supply crisis.
Among the participating financial institutions are Alliance Bank, Affin Bank, AmBank, Bank Islam, Agrobank, Bank Simpanan Nasional, CIMB Bank, EXIM Bank, Hong Leong Bank, Maybank, OCBC Bank, Public Bank, SME Bank, RHB Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia and UOB Malaysia.
More information and the latest list of participating financial institutions can be obtained from Bank Negara Malaysia’s Funds4SME portal.
