KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has allocated a RM500,000 grant to women non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to organise empowerment programmes for women.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the grant, which would be provided under the New Key Result Areas (NKRAs) for NGOs, would be approved for economic empowerment programmes that could increase women's income.

"I hope the grant will be administered well by National Council of Women's Organisation Malaysia (NCWO) in efforts to increase women's participation in the economic sector," she said at the 48th Women's Day dinner hosted by the NCWO at Bukit Kiara here Friday night.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday announced the 'Teman 1Azam' grant of RM4.7 million to be given to 946 women entrepreneurs in the country.

He said those who were selected comprised participants of the pioneer programme of 'Teman 1Azam', organised by the Women Development Department, and would receive RM5,000 each as additional capital for their business ventures.

"Those receiving the grant are asked not to abuse it by buying other things. This (grant) is a reflection of the government's support for the people to assist women entrepreneurs," he said when opening the Women Entrepreneurs Symposium 2010, here Friday.

HSBC initiates `living business’ programme for SMEs

HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd has launched the HSBC Living Business seminar series, which is intended to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more competitive and productive. In a statement yesterday, HSBC said the programme will help SMEs by incorporating socially and environmentally sustainable practice into their business operations.
Its Managing Director, Commercial Banking, David Morton said many SMEs do aspire to implement sustainable practices, but were concerned about the investment required and practicality of the initiatives in driving business profitability.