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Bigger allocation for SMIDEC under 9MP
KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Industries Development Corp (SMIDEC) will receive an additional allocation of RM142.3mil under the Ninth Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review, says chief executive officer Datuk Hafsah Hashim. “We anticipate an increase in application for grants in line with the incentives that had been given by the Government, such as the 10% upfront payment upon approval,” she said at a media briefing yesterday.
Meanwhile, Hafsah said SMIDEC did not appoint any consultants or agents/proxies for approval of grants.
“There have been reports recently by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that there are consultants or agents claiming to be appointed by SMIDEC.
“These consultants would approach companies and persuade them to apply for the grants through them.
“It has been reported that these consultants or agents are charging SMEs commission for each of the approved grant, in many cases the commission is as high as 40%,” she said, adding that the agents operated throughout the country.
“Some of the brave ones have even advertised themselves in the newspapers.”
There were more than 100 of such cases, she said, and SMIDEC was gathering more evidence on these agents. Hafsah urged SMEs to apply directly to SMIDEC for grants. - The Star
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