KOTA BHARU, April 14 – Ups and downs in the business world have become the norm for the average trader and the experience they go through will mature them to keep going without looking back in pursuit of their dreams and ambitions.
Through the Agrobank Upward Migration (AUM) programme which started in 2021, many participants have joined and succeeded in increasing their business capacity to a better and competitive level.
A participant who runs a frozen food business, Mohd Farhan Mat Yaacob, 31, said that after experiencing the collapse of his company in 2020, he felt at a loss to find funds to continue the survival and expansion of the business built since 2011.
“I started getting funding from Agrobank through the AUM programme in 2021 because I am confident that I can improve my business with the help and guidance provided by this financial institution.
“Apart from funding, many other initiatives are offered through this programme including courses, business and marketing techniques that are provided free,” he told Bernama in Kampung Kubang Bongor here today.
Mohd Farhan, who has 200 stockists across the state, said that after receiving an injection of funding through the programme, sales of his frozen food businesses such as beef, lamb and chicken reached more than RM2 million a month.
“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I only reared and sold goats at around RM400 to RM1,500 depending on the gender, size, age and breed.
“During the outbreak of COVID-19, my business collapsed and I had to look for other alternatives to continue selling, so the idea of making frozen food was born. When Agrobank helped me with funds, my sales increased,” he said.
He also imports mutton from abroad namely Australia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Rice distributor entrepreneur Nor Azlini Awang Ngah, 44, said the challenges encountered in her business are the supply of rice is uncertain and the price is always changing because rice is a controlled food item that needs to follow the price set by the government.
“Alhamdulillah, the demand for rice is always there and our sales revenue reaches almost RM3 million a month.
“In fact, after participating in the AUM programme, I was able to acquire much knowledge with the help of Agrobank because the courses and modules given were very beneficial to grow the business and generate income,” said Nor Azlini who inherited the business from her family since 2000.
Agrobank president and chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said the bank was targeting the involvement of 200 entrepreneurs from across the country to participate in the AUM programme this year to improve their businesses.
This 12-month structured programme covers four training sessions either physically or online, and four coaching sessions at the entrepreneur’s premises.
Among the modules provided to entrepreneurs are the Art of Financial Management, Marketing, Setting Company Targets and Corporate Style Business Management.
