By BERNAMA / Pic By TMR File

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has allocated RM25 million for development programmes and business capital specifically for women entrepreneurs.

Rural Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun (picture) said the allocation comprised RM20 million for business financing under DanaNITA and RM5 million for training programmes and courses.

“Under DanaNITA, we are targeting it will benefit 400 women entrepreneurs, aged between 18 and 60 years, with a financing limit of RM50,000.

“DanaNITA focuses on eight business clusters including lifestyle, health, food and beverages, automotive, hi-tech and creative industries,” she said after launching the Inspirational Women in Economics 2018 programme in Seremban yesterday.

Rina said under DanaNITA, female entrepreneurs are exempted from some basic requirements imposed in other financing schemes such as not obliged to open current accounts.

“In addition, DanaNITA is also very flexible. Entrepreneurs need not necessarily have a business premises, instead those who are doing business online or operating from home are also eligible for this facility.

For the first seven months of the year, RM4.7 million was distributed to 139 female entrepreneurs under DanaNITA, she said. For the training programmes and courses for which Mara had allocated RM5 million, more than 5,000 women entrepreneurs stand to benefit.