By Fitri Hazim Hazam
SEPANG, March 21 — A vegetarian frozen food trader has achieved monthly sales of up to RM50,000 after receiving business financing assistance from Yayasan Hijrah Selangor.
Narayanan G. Marimuthu, 49, said the business he started in 2020 faced significant challenges, suffering major losses due to Covid-19 and the severe floods in 2021.
The RM5,000 assistance from Hijrah Selangor in 2021 became a catalyst for reviving his business, enabling him to expand and open a branch in the Himalayas, India.
“I initially started by setting up a roadside stall in Salak Tinggi. However, I have now successfully opened three branches, including one overseas, offering 28 varieties of frozen food, including dosa, chapati, and puri.
“Next, I plan to further expand my business by opening a branch in Bali, Indonesia, after successfully entering the international market in India,” he said.
Narayanan was one of 10 entrepreneurs honoured at the 10 Years of Excellence: Empowering Entrepreneurs programme for the Sepang district, organised by Hijrah Selangor at the Taman Putra Perdana Ramadan bazaar yesterday.
For Muhammad Khafe Sailan, 57, a RM5,000 loan helped to expand his lorry rental and livestock trading business, allowing him to generate up to RM15,000 per month.
“I started my business from a small cattle pen and a lorry in front of my house ten years ago.
“After receiving support from Hijrah Selangor, I now own two lorries and a cattle pen on a five-acre leased reserve land in Olak Empit, Banting, for 21 years,” he said.
Another entrepreneur, Siti Asmah Masni, 37, used a capital loan of up to RM50,000 to start her car workshop business, which helped her expand operations and increase revenue.
“I used the funds to purchase workshop equipment, enabling me to open three branches in Salak Tinggi.
“My business income has grown tenfold to RM300,000, compared to only RM30,000 per month with a single branch before receiving the capital injection from Hijrah Selangor,” she said.
