Flexible Credit Solutions to Boost Operational Resilience
At the core of this initiative is the CIMB SME BusinessCard, which will now offer extended credit terms of up to 50 days for purchases made from Pharmaniaga. Additionally, cardholders will enjoy an unlimited 0.5% cash rebate on all purchases from the pharmaceutical distributor, giving healthcare SMEs a valuable incentive to manage their finances more efficiently.
The arrangement is tailored to benefit downstream healthcare buyers—particularly independent pharmacies and private clinics—who often face tight cash flow and inventory procurement challenges in the current economic climate.
CIMB’s Commitment to Healthcare Ecosystem Development
Lawrence Loh, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Group Commercial and Transaction Banking, CIMB Group, described the collaboration as a timely, needs-based financial innovation aimed at improving healthcare sector resilience:
“We are pleased to partner with Pharmaniaga to deliver practical, value-added financing support for healthcare SMEs. These businesses play a crucial role in Malaysia’s healthcare ecosystem, and providing them with the right financial tools is key to strengthening their resilience and capacity to deliver quality care,” said Loh.
He added that by offering early settlement incentives, extended payment periods, and digital financing tools, CIMB is helping clinics and pharmacies navigate operational strains while improving service quality.
CIMB is currently deepening its focus on the healthcare SME segment, recognising its essential role in supporting national well-being. Through partnerships like this, the bank is positioning itself as a catalyst for growth, enabling SMEs to tap into new opportunities, manage their working capital more efficiently, and embrace digital transformation.
Pharmaniaga: Strengthening the Medical Supply Chain
On the supply side, Pharmaniaga sees this partnership as a way to provide meaningful financial support to its downstream partners. Zulkifli Jafar, Managing Director of Pharmaniaga Berhad, said the collaboration reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to helping business partners navigate both operational and financial hurdles.
“We encourage more clinics, pharmacies and healthcare SMEs to leverage on this facility to ease daily operational and financial challenges. By offering greater payment flexibility and tailored financing options, we aim to empower our partners to grow sustainably while ensuring continuous access to a broad range of pharmaceutical products to serve their clients with confidence,” he explained.
This move also aligns with Pharmaniaga’s broader strategy of enhancing supply chain resilience, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical medical products, particularly for smaller and independently run healthcare providers.
About the CIMB SME BusinessCard: Designed for the Real Needs of SMEs
Originally launched in 2023 in collaboration with Mastercard, the CIMB SME BusinessCard is a multi-purpose commercial tool designed to address the evolving needs of Malaysia’s diverse SME community.
The card offers:
- Extended credit periods to reduce pressure on short-term cash flow
- Unlimited cash rebates to reward everyday business spending
- Flexible payment arrangements, including instalment plans
- Exclusive discounts from selected partners across industries
These features are especially valuable for SMEs in the healthcare space, where procurement cycles and billing delays can present significant liquidity challenges.
Notably, the card is open to a wide range of business structures—including private limited companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and sole proprietorships—making it widely accessible across the SME segment.
Enabling Sectoral Transformation Through Ecosystem Collaboration
This partnership between CIMB and Pharmaniaga exemplifies how ecosystem partnerships can help drive sector-wide transformation. By embedding financial support mechanisms directly within the supply chain, both organisations are enabling SMEs to make smarter financial decisions, scale operations, and remain competitive in a dynamic healthcare landscape.
CIMB’s broader vision includes building digital-first, cost-effective solutions that integrate directly with key industry verticals. This collaboration marks yet another step in CIMB’s journey to deliver targeted financing, improve business accessibility, and support national healthcare delivery through resilient and future-ready SMEs.
