Agrobank Strengthens Targeted Assistance Delivery for Vulnerable Communities
PETALING JAYA: Agrobank is strengthening its targeted assistance delivery system to ensure vulnerable groups, agri-food communities and small-scale entrepreneurs are not left behind in accessing financial support and economic development initiatives.
President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Agrobank, Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, said the bank remains committed to improving aid distribution by expanding service accessibility and reducing barriers that often prevent vulnerable groups from obtaining financial assistance.
According to him, Agrobank’s current focus is to ensure that support reaches the right recipients at the right time through processes that are faster, simpler and less burdensome.
“Our focus is to ensure assistance reaches the right people, at the right time and through processes that are not burdensome,” he said in a statement today.
He noted that Agrobank welcomed the call by Anwar Ibrahim for stronger implementation of targeted aid programmes that are transparent, effective and impactful, especially for lower-income communities and small businesses.
According to him, the approach is crucial in ensuring farmers, livestock breeders, hawkers, micro-entrepreneurs and low-income households receive direct support without being excluded from financial and government assistance networks.
Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah said Agrobank also views improvements in aid delivery systems as a key priority to ensure financial support is more accessible, processed more efficiently and capable of generating long-term impact for recipients.
“The assistance provided must not only be sufficient, but also easy to access, quick to process and able to create meaningful long-term benefits for those who genuinely need it,” he said.
To accelerate aid delivery, Agrobank will focus on three main priorities, including improving recipient identification through data-driven approaches and collaboration with local communities.
The bank also plans to simplify application procedures and reduce bureaucracy through more streamlined workflows aimed at speeding up approval processes.
At the same time, Agrobank intends to strengthen mentoring and monitoring programmes through financial literacy initiatives, business advisory services and follow-up support for aid recipients.
According to Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah, the strategy is important to ensure financial assistance is used effectively while helping beneficiaries build stronger and more sustainable financial positions.
He said Agrobank currently offers various financial products and initiatives tailored to the needs of the agri-food sector as well as micro and small entrepreneurs.
Among the services available are microcredit facilities, Agro Halal financing and Agro Industrial Hire Purchase-i schemes designed to support business expansion efforts.
Agrobank recently also introduced Agro Penjaja-i, an initiative specifically focused on hawkers and micro-entrepreneurs through financing facilities and digital business support programmes.
The initiative additionally includes financial management assistance aimed at helping small business operators manage and expand their operations more systematically and sustainably.
Meanwhile, Agrobank said it will continue reviewing and improving its banking processes to ensure aid and financing systems become more efficient, transparent and user-friendly.
According to the bank, the effort is aligned with the Madani Government’s aspiration to ensure assistance programmes deliver direct benefits to the people while strengthening the resilience of Malaysia’s agri-food communities.
“This emphasis is important to ensure vulnerable groups are not left behind in the country’s socioeconomic development,” he said.
-wilayah.com.my
