Kuala Lumpur:The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP) has disbursed RM10.7 billion in financing to nearly 300,000 entrepreneurs, including hawkers and petty traders, from January to September this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this financial support is part of KUSKOP's RM15 billion financing commitment, which is being channelled through seven financing agencies. Minister Steven Sim highlighted that RM3.14 billion of the RM10.7 billion was allocated as microfinancing. Among the recipients, 200,000 were hawkers, petty traders, shopkeepers, and others, representing about two-thirds of the beneficiaries.

Steven Sim made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the 2026 National Hawkers and Petty Traders Day (HPPK) Carnival, which was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Furthermore, Sim mentioned that KUSKOP has implemented measures to protect traders and entrepreneurs, such as requiring the approval of financing applications below RM20,000 within 24 hours to prevent reliance on loan sharks.

In addition, since August this year, applications to the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional) can be submitted online for the first time in its history. Sim also expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for his continued support and concern for the entrepreneurship sector in the country.