The banking industry gave out 5 per cent more loans to small- and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) for the first nine months of this year compared with the same period last year. Loans to SMEs totalled RM86.1bn during the said period this year, against RM82bn previously.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the increase demonstrates the banking industry's support towards government-backed initiatives.
"I hope such initiatives will continue to receive the banking industry's support, particularly if loans may be extended to entrepreneurs and companies that have chosen to take part in some of the new growth sectors identified," he said at the opening of Standard Chartered Malaysia's new corporate office in Kuala Lumpur.
The new growth sectors identified include agriculture, agro-based enterprises, biotechnology, education and tourism.
