PREDAZZO, Italy, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Norwegian ski jumpers greeted with scepticism suggestions that anti-doping officials must now police their anatomy as well as their equipment, after regulators said they would stay alert to rumours of athletes artificially enlarging their genitals to exploit suit rules at the Milano Cortina Olympics.
PETALING JAYA: Business groups have welcomed the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry’s introduction of two new targeted financing schemes aimed at supporting micro, small and medium enterprises .
) said MSMEs are not peripheral players but core economic drivers that sustain domestic demand, anchor local supply chains and support employment at the community level. “Targeted and affordable financing is essential to ensure these businesses remain competitive, responsive to market demand and financially resilient,” he said in a statement yesterday. He was responding to financing initiatives announced on Thursday by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim, comprising two special schemes totalling RM80mil to strengthen micro-entrepreneurs’ access to financing during the festive season. The initiatives are People’s Ramadan Business Financing Scheme by Tekun Nasional and Special Financing Programme for Chinese-Owned Micro Enterprises by SME Corp Malaysia. “Festive seasons often place intense pressure on MSMEs due to rising input costs, inventory requirements and cash-flow constraints. If left unaddressed, these challenges undermine their ability to compete with larger players and imported alternatives,” Syed Hussain said. MEF reaffirmed its support for policies that enhance MSME competitiveness, promote inclusive economic growth and foster a more enabling business environment across all sectors. Meanwhile, SME Association of Malaysia said that the targeted financing initiatives reflect a clear and practical understanding of the cash-flow pressures, seasonal demand spikes and working-capital constraints faced by MSMEs nationwide. “At a time when many micro SMEs continue to face thin margins, rising operating costs, higher compliance requirements and cautious consumer sentiment, the availability of low-cost, short-tenure financing offers immediate and tangible relief. “This allows traders to focus on meeting festive demand rather than being constrained by short-term liquidity challenges,” the association said in a statement. Its national president Dr Chin Chee Seong said that the impact of such support extends beyond individual businesses. In a separate statement, Federation of Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders Associations of Malaysia expressed hope that the special financing programmes would be implemented in a comprehensive, transparent and inclusive manner, allowing all petty traders to benefit based on genuine needs regardless of background. “We believe that a fair and balanced approach will strengthen public confidence in government policies while fostering harmony and unity within the trading community, ensuring the programme’s noble goals are fully achieved,” it said.
Cooperatives Ministry Financing Schemes Msmes Malaysian Employers Federation Competitive Festive Season People's Ramadan Business Financing Scheme Special Financing Programme For Chinese-Owned Micr Inclusive Economic Growth
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