The Bank’s Economic Empowerment Programme helps impacted communities enhance digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills.

Kuala Lumpur, 17 November 2021- Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad (“Alliance Islamic Bank” or the “Bank”) recently concluded the inaugural three-month Economic Empowerment Programme (“EEP”) for 50 B40 micro-entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by the Bank and undertaken in partnership with People Systems Consultancy (PSC), the EEP equips micro-entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on business innovation, marketing, customer analysis and financial management so that these entrepreneurs would be able to make a living for themselves even during challenging economic situations. This helps empower the lower income community to be self-sufficient through income earned as a business owner. The participants were coached to incorporate what they had learnt during the programme into their businesses. Participants enhanced their digital business literacy, and they were able to tap on opportunities to market their products and services on digital platforms. As a result, their average income improved by over 300% after the 3-month mentorship programme.

Rizal IL-Ehzan Fadil Azim, Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Islamic Bank said, “At Alliance Islamic Bank, we work with communities to promote economic inclusion amongst the poor and nurture businesses that positively impact society. Micro enterprises are useful to provide a taste of business to new entrepreneurs. The experience helps to hone their business acumen, imbues confidence in themselves, helps raise income levels, and accrues spill-over benefits to the local communities. The structured entrepreneurship programme targets both skills and mind-set training and includes classroom sessions, coaching and a three-month mentorship which were conducted online.”

“Through the various SME assistance programs offered by Alliance Islamic Bank, we continue to build partner ecosystems that help build the resilience of micro entrepreneurs by equipping them with useful knowledge, skills, tools and support. We are happy that the EEP managed to elevate 50 micro-entrepreneurs with observable improvements to their socio-economic wellbeing,” he added.

The participants reported positive results in four aspects, namely: family, health, living standard and community impact, after they completed the programme. 92% of the participants indicated that they used their increased income to improve their living standards and contribute to the community, while 90% said they could afford more nutritious food and access to healthcare. Additionally, 66% of participants cited a positive spill-over effect on their family’s education as they can now afford to buy school supplies and pay for their children’s school fees.

Marriani bt Che Mat, 38, is one of the EEP participants whose income improved over 900% within three months of the programme. She can now ensure that her two schoolgoing children are able to follow their online classes properly. “I want my children to focus on their studies as it is for their future. The programme helped me increase my income and I can finally afford to install WiFi at home and buy a computer for my children’s online learning needs.”

Through the programme, Marriani learned to identify opportunities and avenues that can increase her sales. She began offering grilled chicken wings alongside her existing menu of Korean garlic bread and promoted them on social media. Not only that, Marriani also diversified her business, learning to tailor masks to sell. This enabled her to provide job opportunities to single mothers who became her selling agents.

Sharing a similar experience is Rosambee binti Sulaiman, 55, a tutor who also sells food and beverage. Her income increased by 259% within three months of the programme, enabling her to better support her family and husband’s medical needs.

She said, “I am so glad I participated in this programme. It has changed my life! Before this, I was selling cendol while taking care of my husband who is a heart patient. It was tough and I was barely making ends meet. Things became worse when the pandemic hit. The programme helped me discover my skill and interest in teaching, which gave me the confidence to start tuition classes. With my income improved, I’ve been able to afford more nutritious food for my family and begun saving for my children’s education.”

Alliance Islamic Bank’s Economic Empowerment Programme is part of the Bank’s ongoing efforts to positively impact communities through socio-economic development. For more information on the Bank’s other empowerment initiatives, please visit Alliance Islamic Bank’s SocioBiz platform at www.alliancebank.com.my/sociobiz.