KUCHING: The increase in Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) financing funds to RM500 million under Budget 2027 is expected to create more opportunities for Sarawak Bumiputera entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and enter high-value industrial supply chains.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the increased funding is expected to strengthen the capacity of local companies to capitalise on opportunities arising from growing investments and industrial development in the state.

According to him, PUNB had disbursed RM121.2 million to approximately 354 companies in Sarawak as of 3 September 2026, reflecting the role of financing in supporting the growth of Bumiputera enterprises.

"It is hoped that this increase will expand access to financing for Bumiputera entrepreneurs, including those in Sarawak, to enhance their capacity and grow their businesses," he said.

He said this when speaking at the Sarawak State Entrepreneur Networking Programme 2026 here on Wednesday.

In a related development, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah emphasised that strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is crucial to supporting Sarawak's target of achieving a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM282 billion by 2030 under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

The Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment added that the state has approximately 71,000 MSMEs, nearly 80 per cent of which are microenterprises, while their contribution to the state's GDP is estimated at around 18 per cent.

Therefore, he said local enterprises must enhance their production capacity, skills, digitalisation and management efficiency to meet industry requirements and compete in broader markets.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah also encouraged PUNB to expand collaboration with Sarawak Energy, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and related companies to create more opportunities for local vendors, particularly in the energy, high-tech manufacturing and utility infrastructure sectors.

Such efforts could include providing financing, equipment and capacity development to help local companies meet the technical and operational requirements of industry players.

"Since 2019, Sarawak Energy’s vendor development programme has supported 212 vendors as of September 2026, with 197 successfully completing the programme, including 154 Bumiputera vendors,” he added.

Meanwhile, PUNB plans to launch the PROSPER GROW PLUS financing scheme in January 2027 to help local enterprises enhance their technical capabilities, automation and working capital.

The scheme offers financing ranging from RM1 million to RM10 million at a profit rate of 3.5 per cent per annum for a tenure of up to seven years, with applications scheduled to open in January 2027.

The Sarawak State Entrepreneur Networking Programme 2026 brought together the business community, relevant agencies and industry players to strengthen collaboration and expand business growth opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Also present were PUNB Chairman Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED) SME Advisor Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais and MINTRED Permanent Secretary Datu Lester Matthew. -UKASnews