BizFunds - SME Corp

Last Updated on Saturday, 16 January 2010 11:16 Written by Administrator Thursday, 14 January 2010 23:34

Business Fundings

SOFT LOAN FOR ICT ADOPTION

Introduction

This scheme is to provide assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in their endeavour to improve their competitiveness in the marketplace as ell as their operational efficiency and productivity. This is achieved by extending assistance in the form of soft loans to eligible applicants for acquiring Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for their operations.

Objective

This scheme is specifically introduced to assist SMEs towards:
1. Upgrading their engineering design capabilities.
2. Acquiring Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.

Qualifying Criteria

1. Applications are encouraged from amongst manufacturing companies or companies providing manufacturing-related services. The companies are those which    are incorporated under the Companies Act 1965 and whose annual sales turnover does not exceed RM25million or their full-time employees do not    exceed 150 in number.
2. On the other hand, for the services sector, the companies must be incorporated under the Registration of Business Ordinance 1956 with an annual       sales turnover of not exceeding RM5 million or full-time employees not exceeding 50.
3. At least 60 per cent equity is held by Malaysians.
4. The company is licensed to operate at its premise as evidenced by its valid premise licence.
5. The companies must have been in operation for a minimum of two years.
6. A minimum of one qualified IT personnel is required if the loan is for the purchase of ERP software or other related software whereas  for the       purchase of engineering design software one designer is required to manage and supervise the implementation of the project.

Sector Coverage

Some of the eligible sectors are a follows:
1. Manufacturing or companies providing manufacturing related services**.
2. Distributive trade.
3. Logistics.
4. Professional management services.

**Main activities under manufacturing related services are:
1. R & D on the development of products, processes and software.
2. Design of products and processes.
3. Distribution and logistics such as warehousing, freight, forwarding, bulk-breaking, international procurement centre and haulage.
4. Marketing such as packaging and market research.
5. Environmental management.
6. Other related services such as engineering support services, gas sterilisation services, calibration and testing services

Eligible Expenses

1. Upgrading engineering design capabilities through the following options:
a) Purchase of design software such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), subscription       fees, licensing fees for on-line engineering design services.
b) Purchase of computer hardware and related equipment.
c) Training programme to acquire technical skills.
2. Purchase of ERP software or other similar software:
a) Purchase of ERP software or first year subscription to on-line ERP system, or other similar software such as Computer software for services sector       such as Point of Sales System, Tracking System, Automated Store Management System and Inventory Management System.
b) Purchase of server and related networking equipment.

Form of Assistance

1. The minimum loan is RM20thousand and maximum loan is RM250thosand.
2. Interest rates are at 3 per cent per annum.
3. Repayment period up to 5 years.
4. Not to be used for refinancing of existing loan.
5. Percentage of Financing up to 75 per cent.

**Main activities under manufacturing related services are:
1. Research and Development (R & D) such as product and process development and software development.
2. Product and process design.
3. Distribution and logistics such as warehousing, freight forwarding, bulk breaking, international procurement centre, haulage.
4. Marketing such as packaging and market research.
5. Other related services such as engineering support services, gas sterilisation services, calibration and testing services.

Download Application Form

Application can be made using the form which can be obtained free of charge from SMECORP's offices or download using URL below:
1. E-Manufacturing (ERP) Loan Application Form.
2. E-Design Application Form.
All forms are available in PDF (Acrobat) format.   

Enquiry

Further information on this Scheme can be obtained from:
SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp)
Aras 20, West Wing, Menara MATRADE,
Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Off Jalan Duta,
50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

General Line : 03 6207 6000
Fax Line : 03 6201 6564
Info Line : 1-300-88-1801
Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it