MELAKA: Applications for business grants under the Uyarvu Madani programme by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) have exceeded 8,000, far surpassing the initial target of 700 recipients.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the strong response reflected demand among Indian entrepreneurs, particularly those from the B40 and M40 income groups.
He said RM25 million had been allocated for the programme, which offers grants of between RM20,000 and RM50,000 to help eligible entrepreneurs expand their businesses.
"The number of applications increased after we extended the application period, as the original window was short.
"We initially targeted 700 recipients, but following the extension, we received more than 8,000 applications," he told reporters after a walkabout with Indian traders at Little India in Banda Hilir today.
Ramanan said the response highlighted the need for greater support for Indian entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses.
He said the visit aimed to gather direct feedback from the community on the assistance needed to ensure Mitra's programmes reached their intended recipients.
"Besides Uyarvu Madani, Mitra also runs various assistance programmes for the Indian community, covering education, dialysis treatment, medical aid and welfare support for senior citizens," he said.
Ramanan said community outreach efforts would continue to assess the effectiveness of existing programmes and identify areas for improvement based on the community's needs.
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