KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 (Bernama) -- Agrobank has announced that the month of June as the Agrobank SME Month 2020.  The aim is to highlight the importance and strong contribution of SMEs particularly entrepreneurs in agri-businesses (agropreneurs) to the livelihoods, communities and economies.  This is held in conjunction with the International Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day as designated by the United Nations on 27th June every year.

Khadijah Iskandar, covering President/CEO of Agrobank, said “SME is the backbone of our economy.  Agrobank believes that it is good to recognise their contribution to the economy and highlight how SME are coping with the changing business landscape.”

“COVID-19 pandemic makes us now have better appreciation on our food supply and highlight the importance of food security.  This initiative provides opportunity to know better how our SME customers within the supply chain are coping with new business landscape.”

The programme will run throughout June, and will provide a platform to significantly deepen the bank's understanding of its Small and Medium Enterprises customers' requirements and to drive their continued development.

During the month, Agrobank will highlight successful SME agropreneurs, videos on how SMEs in agri-business is coping with changes dues to COVID-19, coaching sessions, forum and promotions of products related to SMEs.

Khadijah added that although the SME Month is only for a one-month period, continuous efforts and initiatives will be ongoing throughout the year to ensure that SMEs are able to avail themselves to the various programmes and products/services of the Bank at any time.

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 1st 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.

Issued by Strategic Communications Department, Agrobank

SOURCE: ​Agrobank 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Shahreen Rahim
Section Head of Public Relations
Strategic Communications Department
Agrobank
Tel: 03-2731 1600 (ext 1660) / +6012 943 6217
Email: shahreen.rahim@agrobank.com.my
 
Name: Rasheffa Rashid
Executive, Public Relations
Strategic Communications Department
Agrobank
Tel: 03-2731 1600 (ext 1650 / +019 272 9907
rasheffa@agrobank.com.my  

--BERNAMA