FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR SMEs IN THE SERVICES SECTORS Articles courtesy of SMIDEC:Small & Medium Industries Development Corporation

OBJECTIVES 

To provide assistance to SMEs which facilitate them: 

• In starting-up of business
• In obtaining certification/s & quality management systems
• In advertising & promotion
• In improving & upgrading of existing services and/or processes

SERVICES SECTORS 

• Distributive Trade
• Business and Professional Services
• Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
• Tourism
• Logistics
• Healthcare
• Education
• Construction 

Business incorporated / registered under the:

• Companies Act 1965; or
• Registration of Businesses Act 1965; or
• Certificate/s of Practice by Professional Regulatory Bodies;­         

• Companies with annual sales turnover of not exceeding RM25 million or full-tiome employees not exceeding 150 (for Logistics Sector only);
• At least 60% equity held by Malaysians;
• Processes valid premise / business licences

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

Matching Grant
Assistance is given in the form of matching grant where 50% of the approved project cost is borne by the Government and the remainder by the applicant.

 i.      Business Start-Up  

The maximum grant allocated per application is RM100,000. The grant is available for business in operation less than 12 months. 

Eligible expenses     

• Preparation of business plan
• Preparation of marketing plan
• Market feasibility studies 
• Rental of business premise and related equipments up to 24 months 
• Development of prototype/s (for construction and related activities only) 
• Purchase of machinery or office equipment 
• One year broadband subscription fee (for ICT sector)       

ii.      Improvement and Upgrading of Existing Services and Processes 

The maximum grant allocated per application is RM500,000. The grant available for ICT, Healthcare and Construction Sectors. 

Eligible expenses  

• Undertake technology feasibility studies 
• Fees for technology transfer 
• Development of prototype/s 
•  Initial Intellectual Property (IP) registration     

iii.      Certification and Quality Management Systems 

The maximum grant allocated per application is RM250,000 

Eligible expenses  

• Acquisition of certifications and quality management systems for related services 
• ISO 9000 Series. 
• Halal certification/s and related expenditure in compliance to the certification requirements.     

iv.      Advertisement and Promotion 

The maximum grant allocated per application is RM50,000 

Eligible expenses  

• Production of marketing and promotional materials such as brochures, catalogues, flyers, banners, posters, plastic/paper carrier bags and CD-ROMS. 
• Electronic media advertisement 
• Printed media advertisement 
• Development of an interactive website for e-commerce activities  

APPLICATION 

Application can be made using the Matching Grant Form which can be obtained free of charge from Smidec’s offices of downloaded from SMIDEC’s website at http://www.smidec.gov.my/ or download here.  

ENQUIRY 

For further information please contact:

Jamadilah Salwa Mohamed Jalil (6207 6000 ext 6186)

Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC)
Aras 20, West Wing, Menara MATRADE
Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Off Jalan Duta
50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel No: 03-6207 6000
Fax No: 03-6201 6564
E-mail : mailto:info@smidec.com.my
Infoline : 1-300-88-1801
Website http://www.smidec.gov.my/