JOHOR BARU: The one-off assistance for micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) affected by the recent floods will be paid out by March through Tekun Nasional.

       Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said about 13,600 micro-enterprises and SMEs have applied for the grant so far.

       “I call on more enterprises affected by the recent floods to apply for the one-off assistance as they may be facing difficulties in restarting their business after that," said Noh.

       He added that the conditions for eligibility are simple, saying that micro-enterprises and SMEs only need to provide proof that they were involved in the floods without having to show any bank accounts, CTOS or CCRIS (central reference information system) information.

       “We target to start giving out the grant by March,” he told reporters after attending Uda Holdings Bhd’s back to school programme at Angsana Mall on Tuesday (Feb 15).

       The programme gave out school bags and shopping vouchers to 200 less privileged students from nine schools around the mall area.

       On Feb 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the grant under the Keluarga Malaysia Flood Aid, which is expected to benefit 15,000 micro and informal businesses affected by the floods.

       Noh added that enterprises that need more financial aid can apply for a loan of up to RM10,000 through the Informal and Micro Financing Scheme.

       “The payment period for the interest-free loan is up to five years with a moratorium of 12 months.

       “I would like to thank the prime minister for his concern for micro and SMEs during this tough time by introducing various channels for them to apply for financial assistance,” he added.