AEON Bank, Suri Partner to Empower B40 Women Through Income-Generating Programme
PETALING JAYA, April 29 — AEON Bank has entered into a strategic collaboration with social enterprise Suri Inspirasi Sdn Bhd to strengthen financial inclusion efforts and uplift women from the B40 community.
The partnership is anchored by the introduction of the Sustainable. Reliable. Income (S.R.I.) programme, an initiative designed to help women, mothers and youth from lower-income households generate stable and sustainable income.
The programme aligns with the iTEKAD social finance initiative spearheaded by Bank Negara Malaysia and was officially launched in March this year.
AEON Bank said the S.R.I. initiative will involve 60 participants across three cohorts, with each cohort undergoing a six-month training cycle.
Fully funded by the bank, the programme targets Malaysians aged between 18 and 60 who face financial challenges, including single-income households and individuals without employment.
Participants will receive hands-on training in practical skills such as sewing and product development, equipping them with the tools needed to create marketable goods.
The training modules also incorporate creative techniques like Indigo Shibori tie-dye, using recycled materials such as denim fabric and repurposed hotel linens, reflecting a strong emphasis on sustainability.
As part of the programme, participants are encouraged to take part in the MySURi Seragam initiative, which aims to produce 1,000 sets of school uniforms. These uniforms will be distributed to students from underprivileged families and orphanages, while also providing participants with an opportunity to earn additional income.
Beyond production, participants will also be able to market their handcrafted items through the Suri Lifestyle platform under a consignment model, ensuring that proceeds from sales are channelled directly to the makers.
This approach is intended to create a self-sustaining economic cycle, enabling participants to continuously generate income while building long-term financial resilience.
To further enhance participants’ capabilities, AEON Bank and Suri have also partnered with Zucchini & Co. to deliver digital marketing modules.
These include training in social media management and mobile photography, helping participants expand their reach and connect with customers in the digital marketplace.
The collaboration reflects a broader push to integrate financial inclusion with skills development, ensuring that underserved communities are not only given access to resources but are also equipped with the knowledge to build sustainable livelihoods.
-wilayah.com.my
