SHAH ALAM, Sept 19 — Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI and Bank Pertanian Malaysia Berhad (Agrobank) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership in developing the agri-food sector entrepreneurship ecosystem in Selangor.
This initiative aligns with both parties' efforts to strengthen and develop socio-economic growth while empowering the local economy through a holistic and sustainable approach.
The signing ceremony took place in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agro Tourism Exhibition 2024 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang, witnessed by Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari, and MBI's group finance division head cum chief financial officer Zannifa Azura Ahmad and Agrobank’s president cum chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin.
"This strategic partnership is in line with the First Selangor Plan's objectives, which focuses on the development of a smart and inclusive state by 2025.
"Through this initiative, Agrobank will provide various facilities not only in terms of financing but also by preparing Selangor entrepreneurs with training and advisory services, particularly for those involved in the agri-food sector," MBI said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, MBI will offer full support through Platform Selangor (PLATS), a digital platform developed to assist micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises entrepreneurs in financing, promotion, digitalisation, and participation in entrepreneurship programmes.
"To date, 40,000 entrepreneurs have registered under PLATS, which is fully managed by the MBI Foundation," it said.
During the signing, Zannifa highlighted how this partnership will open significant prospects and opportunities for Selangor’s entrepreneurs, especially in increasing their capacity and capabilities in the agri-food sector.
"With the financial support from Agrobank, MBI is confident that local entrepreneurs will be better equipped to face global challenges," she said.
On his part, Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah reaffirmed Agrobank's commitment to fully support entrepreneurs in the agricultural industry by providing comprehensive financial facilities to enhance the capabilities and resilience of entrepreneurs, particularly in the rapidly growing agri-food sector.
He also noted that this effort aims to increase the number of resilient, competitive, and global entrepreneurs in Selangor.
This collaboration will last for two years and is expected to have a positive impact on the economic development of the state of Selangor, particularly in achieving the goal of creating a liveable and prosperous state by 2025.
