- MAICCI Women's Wing received the introduction of the SOORIAN programme
- The program is intended to facilitate increased participation of the Indian community in the franchise industry of Malaysia
Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (Pernas) initiated the 'SOORIAN' programme to enhance the involvement of the Indian community in entrepreneurship as well as the franchise sector.
The scheme, initiated by Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, will benefit 1,000 trainees with total aid worth RM54.5 million.
Training, revolving financing, loan facilities, and capacity-building programmes are offered as assistance to enhance entrepreneurial capabilities and business opportunities.
Participants will be trained according to their skill level and will be placed in sectors that are appropriate for them with a salary of between RM1, 700 and RM2, 800. Of the total number of participants, 500 will get full placement.
Running from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, is the two-year program with its major focus on franchise training, job placement, and franchise building for Indian entrepreneurs.
SOORIAN also comprises a Halal awareness program with 50 companies as the target group, where at least 10 are expected to be Halal-certified and 20 will be part of the Franchise Development Programme (FDP).
Further, 400 small business owners will be provided with microfinancing support, and 100 franchisees or licensees will be covered under the facilities of franchise or licensing financing.
Online applications are available to Malaysian Indians between the ages of 18 and 60, either as corporate groups or individuals, and can be made at Pernas offices or through the website of Pernas. All the participating companies should be registered and Syariah-compliant.
Pernas CEO Datuk Nur Azam M. Taib said that the franchise concept remained a robust platform for boosting economic growth and participation among the Indian community.
