THE STAR – 8 JANUARY 2016
Syed Kamarulzaman: ‘Venturing into business and promoting franchise businesses are among the best options and the way to help improve the livelihoods of Malaysians.’
KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (PNS) is allocating up to RM150mil for investments and another RM60mil to help entrepreneurs venture into franchise businesses this year.
Its managing director, Datuk Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Zainol Khodki Shahabudin said PNS would be taking up equity of up to RM100mil in two franchise brands, while another RM50mil would be invested in properties to improve and add value to its existing properties to generate better returns.
On franchise business funding, he said PNS planned to help at least 140 franchisees and licensees this year with an allocation of RM38mil, franchisors and franchise licensors (RM20mil) and business-in-transformation (BIT) scheme (RM2mil).
He said 2016 is yet another challenging year for PNS in promoting entrepreneurship.
“Venturing into business and promoting franchise businesses are among the best options and the way to help improve the livelihoods of Malaysians,” he told the media here today on PNS’ plans for 2016.
On contract financing, Syed Kamarulzaman said PNS via its investment arm, Ikhtiar Factoring Sdn Bhd is targeting to help at least 200 bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and franchise businesses with total financing up to RM200mil.
He said PNS is moving towards a paperless and automate processing system, which could cut disbursement period from one month to a week, tentatively from July.
Moving forward, financing allocation to the services sector versus food and beverage (F & B) sector will be increased to a ratio of 60:40 from 50:50 at present.
“The services sector has a variety of businesses and could generate lucrative returns,” he said, citing laundry, pest control, maintenance service and healthcare businesses as examples.
On F&B, Syed Kamarulzaman said PNS would not mind assisting petty traders and hawkers as they had been enjoying good patronage during current economic challenges. “But businesses must be ready to be conducted in a professional manner,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the PNS training academy would be expanded this year with the acquisition of the Serene Resort Training Centre in Janda Baik, Pahang.
“The academy, which is expected to be ready by first quarter of this year, will be able to accommodate 200 participants and train up to 3,000 entrepreneurs this year,” he said. – Bernama
URL : http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/01/08/pns-allocates-rm210mil-for-investments-franchise-businesses/
