Call for more SME soft loans in BN manifesto
KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) hopes that Barisan Nasional (BN) will pledge to offer more soft loans through government agencies to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in its manifesto for the 14th General Election (GE14).
KKCCCI president Datuk Michael Lui wished to see the loan amount be increased up to RM 100,000 to assist SMEs, especially young, budding entrepreneurs to venture into the e-commerce sector.
He said this when asked about the chamber’s wish list for BN’s manifesto, which is expected to be launched next week.
He said the soft loans would be helpful to SMEs that lacked cash flow.
At the same time, Lui said the loans offered could contribute towards the growth of the logistics industry and courier service, which in turn, supported the demands in online shopping.
He also hoped that the application process for the soft loans could be simplified, and preferably without the need for collateral, given that budding entrepreneurs have yet to own properties.
In addition, Lui hoped that the government would look into easing the stringent bank loan for existing businesses which have shown good track record.
On education, he hoped that the government would recognize the Chinese community’s longstanding pursuit for the recognition of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
He said granting recognition to UEC would reflect Malaysia’s fair education policy.
Furthermore, Lui hoped that the Federal Government would increase its existing RM 50 million allocation to Chinese schools nationwide.
He said the current allocation was not sufficient for the repair and maintenance of Chinese schools.
On the other hand, Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) deputy president Datuk Ling Tiong Chai hoped that BN in its manifesto would ensure government projects in Sabah be awarded to local contractors.
He said local contractors were equally qualified and capable of undertaking government projects as their West Malaysian counterparts or foreign contractors.
He also hoped that the government would create conducive business environment for entrepreneurs.