2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Nineteen Bumiputera SMEs thrive under Ekuinas' Iltizam
KUALA LUMPUR: Nineteen Bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have improved their performance and expanded their businesses through Ekuiti Nasional Bhd's (Ekuinas) Iltizam empowerment initiatives.
This was achieved via Iltizam Catalyst 2024, the flagship programme under its entrepreneurship pillar.
Ekuinas chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said the companies underwent a structured transformation aimed at reinforcing their business foundations in four key areas: financial management and compliance, branding and digital marketing, technology adoption, and leadership.
"Iltizam Catalyst is designed to sharpen strategic thinking, nurture talent, strengthen operations and governance and encourage innovative thinking.
"It is more than a mentoring programme. It is a complete ecosystem that delivers knowledge, network, confidence and the courage to create and seize new opportunities," he said at Iltizam Catalyst 2024 achievement ceremony.
Ekuinas chief executive officer Aliff Omar Mohamad Omar said based on the key performance indicators set in 2023, Iltizam Catalyst 2024 has achieved strong and measurable outcomes.
He said 95 per cent of participants gained clearer business direction, 89 per cent strengthened their entrepreneurial mindset and leadership readiness, 79 per cent boosted brand visibility and market presence, and 68 per cent recorded higher product profitability.
In 2024, Ekuinas allocated RM15.3 million under Iltizam for initiatives in entrepreneurship, education, and community upliftment, benefiting over 17,000 individuals, families and businesses nationwide.
Of this, RM5 million was dedicated to entrepreneurship-focused programmes, including Iltizam Catalyst and Iltizam Advance.
Since its launch, Iltizam has channelled more than RM115 million towards socio-economic development across Malaysia.
