KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Bank Bhd and Affin Islamic Bank Bhd have exchanged a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) to foster the economic development and sustainability of start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the northern region.

       In a statement today, Affin Bank said the partnership was part of NCIA’s human capital programme called entrepreneurNCER (Northern Corridor Economic Region) to elevate and expand microenterprises and SMEs holistically and comprehensively due to their vital role as the backbone of the country’s economy.

       "The objective of entrepreneurNCER is to assist and support the development of entrepreneurship through best practices and technology adoption, and service and product improvement for potential and existing entrepreneurs," it said.

       Affin Bank president and group chief executive officer Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah Wan Ali said the bank is committed to work in tandem with NCIA to boost NCER’s economic potential by offering attractive banking facilities to significantly support and nurture the northern region SME scene.

       "As it is our goal to become the "Bank of Choice” for SMEs and start-ups alike, this strategic collaboration is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our capacity as a progressive bank in addressing the financial needs of SMEs inclusively, while stimulating and enhancing the economic and social development of SMEs from various industries across NCER," he said.

       NCIA chief executive Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John said the strategic collaboration under the entrepreneurNCER programme this year would benefit about 1,000 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs throughout the 12th Malaysia Plan. - Bernama