BELURAN: Agrobank opened its 139th branch in Beluran, Sabah, yesterday, complementing the commercial banking facilities in the district.

       Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said with the banking facilities in the district, the economic activities of the people, especially in agriculture, could be enhanced, especially through holistic and sustainable financing facilities.

       From Jan 1 to Oct 31 this year, a total of RM191mil worth of Agrobank financing approvals had been recorded in Sabah.

       “Of the total, RM2.8mil in accumulated financing had been recorded in the Beluran area which has benefitted a total of 90 recipients,” he said at the bank’s opening here.

       Ronald, who is also Beluran Member of Parliament, praised Agrobank’s proactive move to open a branch in the rural district, where residents had previously had to travel 82km to Sandakan for various banking matters.

       Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee signing the plaque to mark the launching of the Agrobank Beluran branch on Sunday.

       He hoped the opening of the Agrobank branch would pave the way for other banking institutions to extend their services in rural areas.

       Covering president and chief executive officer of Agrobank, Khadijah Iskandar said the Agrobank branch in Beluran has great potential in helping to strengthen the local economy due to its unique agricultural activities.Beluran carries out various agricultural activities, including the food processing industry, particularly through the crop, fisheries and livestock sectors such as the swiftlet industry.

       At the event, Ronald presented food baskets donated by Agrobank to 200 recipients with a total contribution of RM20,000 through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry Prihatin programme to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       He also presented the Keluarga Peladang Smart Card symbolically to the Beluran Area Farmers Organisation. — Bernama

       The card has a banking concept by combining three-in-one features through the Agrobank Co-Brand card, which can be used as a PPK membership identity card, serves as a cashless transaction payment, and comes with Takaful Kasih Plus coverage up to RM5,000 for only RM5 per year. -- Bernama