KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- Agrobank today hosted Dialog Niaga Agrobank 2019 (DNA 2019) which focuses on strengthening the economy & creating wealth through agri business.  More than 300 guests comprises of agricultural policy makers, new agropreneurs, government and private agencies, academicians and industry players in agriculture and agro-based industries attended the dialogue.
 
YB Dato’ Salahuddin Ayub, Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry officiated the dialogue and delivered a keynote address entitled ‘Hala Tuju MOA 2019’ which highlighted on the latest direction and strategy by MOA.
 
DNA is a thought leadership programme organised by Agrobank, with the aim to share issues, latest updates, ideas and solution related to business in agriculture and agro-based industry.  For the year 2019,  the topic ‘Strengthening the Economy & Creating Wealth through Agri Business’ was chosen as the theme, in line with strategic focus by MOA.
 
Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal, Chairman Board of Directors of Agrobank said, the theme of DNA for this year focuses on agriculture as the source of income not only to improve the standard of living but also to strengthen the community and building the nation.
 
“Apart from highlighting the prospects and opportunities in agri-business, we also showcase the initiatives by our agropreneurs to develop other agropreneurs within their value chain and develop their local communities as well.  These agroprenuers strive to assist other agropreneurs in their value chains. Therefore, they provide opportunities in the form of employment and entrepreneurial guidance.”
 
“These efforts are in line with Agrobank’s mandate in championing value-based intermediation (VBI) that focuses on generating economic well-being and positive impacts to the community,” he added.
 
According to Department of Statistics Malaysia, it is expected Malaysian population to reach up to 33.8 million people in 2020. With the increase amount of population, the agriculture sector is considered relevant and very important in providing food for the nation. Therefore, the effort in encouraging the involvement of young generation and to increase the use of technology in agriculture sector are essential to ensure the sustainability of food security.
 
According to Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal, agriculture is still a key factor for the country's economic growth. "Agrobank will continue to support the government's efforts to increase the productivity of the country's agriculture sector through our customised products and services for agriculture sector."
 
Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi said technology plays an important role in increasing agricultural productivity and Agrobank is ready to support viable businesses with technology advancement that aims to increase productivity.
 
He added, it is important for agro-based business to invest in technology, therefore, access to financing is important.  “Agrobank provides a comprehensive financing solution for agriculture – including full chain financing from upstream activities such as the supply of agricultural production inputs namely; poultry, fisheries, crops, commodities and other industries to downstream activities such as processing and selling agricultural products and others.”
 
“For Agrobank, we will support and finance any viable business and projects related to agriculture sector.  Agrobank believes that agriculture and agro food sectors have great potential and are still relevant to the ongoing demand," he added.
 
The last session was a forum on 'Strengthening Economics & Creating Wealth through Agro Business'.  The panellists for the session are YBhg Dato 'Mohd Sallehhuddin, KSU MOA; Syed Alwi Mohamed Sultan, President / Chief Executive Officer of Agrobank; Pn. Mazlina Kamarudin, CEO of Bismi Empire Sdn Bhd; Pn. Rubiah Mohamed, Managing Director, Doana Frozen Food and En. Munir Ashim Abdullah, Founder of GrasiCili. The session was moderated by Haji Nazri Kahar, Executive Producer, Astro Awani.
  
About Agrobank
Agrobank is a leader in agriculture financing and values-based banking based (VBI)* in Malaysia. Established in 1969, Agrobank is actively involved in charting the growth and development of Malaysia’s agriculture industry by offering shariah compliant products and solutions across various customer segments including corporate, commercial, consumer, trade finance and micro financing customers. Agrobank is a full-fledged Islamic bank since 1^st July 2015.

As a market driven, customer-centric DFI (Development Financial Institution) with a primary focus on strengthening the agriculture sector in Malaysia, Agrobank strikes an equal balance to its developmental and commercial roles to benefit the agriculture sector. Agrobank provides a comprehensive repertoire of financing solutions for the agriculture community; that includes upstream activities related to primary food and commodities-based agriculture activities to downstream activities such as processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products.

Agrobank also offers retail banking financing solutions to improve the well-being of the agriculture community. This is done through its network of 192 customer touch points including 138 branches, 1 agro banking, 1 virtual banking, 10 commercial financing centre, 34 kiosk, 8 agro corners & agro point

In 2019, Agrobank celebrates its golden jubilee Anniversary, as it marks 50 years of its proud establishment developing the agro industry.
 
www.agrobank.com.my

* VBI or value-based intermediation is an initiative by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) which aims to improve the products and services offered by Islamic financial institutions towards a better facilitation of entrepreneurship, community well-being, sustainable environment and economic growth, without compromising on shareholders’ returns
 
Source: Agrobank

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Ainul Rofidza Ibrahim
Tel:  03-2731 1600 (ext 2624) / 019-2258210
Email: ainul.ibrahim@agrobank.com.my
 
Name: Syarifah Syameen Syed Johari 
Tel: 03-2731 1600 (ext 1652) / 012-3101766 
Email: syameen@agrobank.com.my

--BERNAMA