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Bank Negara creates RM500m facility for flood-affected SMEs

Bank Negara Malaysia is providing a RM500 million Disaster Relief Facility to alleviate the financial burden and assist SMEs affected by the recent floods in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia to resume their business.

Under this facility, it said the affected businesses can obtain financing at a concessionary rate from any commercial bank, Islamic banks and development financial institutions regulated by Bank Negara.

“Bank Negara will provide 60 percent guarantee on the financing obtained through Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd,” the central bank said in a statement today.

It said the financing facility, with a maximum of RM500,000 per group of companies, is available to Malaysian SMEs affected in the districts identified as flood disaster areas by the National Disaster Management Agency.

“The fund is to be utilised for repairs or purchase of assets to replace those damaged by the floods, including as working capital.

“The effective financing rate chargeable is up to 2.25 percent per annum and the loan will have a maximum tenure of five years, with a six-month grace period on financing repayments,” Bank Negara added.

It said the facility is available for application from Nov 8, 2017 until May 31, 2018 and businesses needing assistance could approach the participating financial institutions.

The SMEs are advised to contact their financial institutions’ customer service centres directly for enquiries, it said, or contact BNM's TELELINK at 1-300-88-5465 for additional information or assistance, it noted.

Meanwhile, CIMB Bank Bhd is offering a six-month repayment relief on various loans and financing products for customers and staff affected by floods in Penang and Kedah.

The six-month repayment relief is applicable to, among others, all secured individual and enterprise/commercial banking loans and financing, auto loan/financing, personal financing and credit card interest/late charges, it said in a statement.

“Charges would also be waived for credit/debit card replacement, statement request or replacement of mutilated passbook/bankers' cheques and premature fixed deposit cancellation for FD's with a one-month tenure.

“CIMB would also expedite the processing of insurance claims due to the floods in Penang and Kedah,” it added.

- Bernama

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