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Initiative aims to boost financing, innovation, networking and knowledge sharing

WOMEN entrepreneurs in Malaysia now have easier access to capital for their businesses.

The “OCBC Women Unlimited” programme by OCBC Malaysia provides collateral-free financing of up to RM600,000 at preferential rates, aimed at empowering businesswomen.

The programme provides support through financing, networking and knowledge sharing.

“Themed ‘Empowering Entrepreneurs, Celebrating Women’, the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to supporting women in business by providing tailored financial solutions and recognising their vital contributions to the economy and society,” OCBC Malaysia said in a media statement.

“Supporting this initiative is a RM100mil Islamic Portfolio Guarantee-i (PG-i) agreement between OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd.

“This strategic partnership is designed to bolster the growth of women-led enterprises,” the statement said.

“Besides financing, the programme aims to foster a vibrant community for women entrepreneurs to network and support each other.

“The bank will host networking sessions to facilitate meaningful connections, peer learning and collaboration,” it added.

Meanwhile, at the launch of “OCBC Women Unlimited” in Kuala Lumpur, OCBC Malaysia chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Chor Sen said the programme could help women entrepreneurs tackle the various challenges they faced in scaling up their businesses or innovating.

“Through ‘OCBC Women Unlimited’, we are tackling this issue head-on by offering collateral-free financing to unlock new growth opportunities.”

Citing OCBC Malaysia’s data, Tan said the role of women in shaping Malaysia’s economic future was growing.

“Women now represent approximately 21% of our small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) portfolio, up from 13% in 2020.

“We are also seeing a shift towards technology-driven ventures among women, beyond traditional sectors like retail and healthcare,” he said.

The launch also saw a panel discussion themed “Redefining Success for Women in Business” with “women unlimited” insights from four Malaysian women entrepreneurs.

Lafre Global founder and CEO Inthira Kalanjiam, who was one of the panellists, urged her fellow women entrepreneurs to always stay focused and humble.

“We are often limited by our mindset and attitude.

“By being humble, we can open ourselves up to learning everything from everyone and this makes us ‘unlimited’,” she said.

Medicas Sdn Bhd founder and director Shannen Khor, meanwhile, called on women entrepreneurs to have the courage to redefine themselves.

“To achieve this, you need to be highly disciplined and have faith in what you are doing,” she said.

The discussion was moderated by OCBC Singapore emerging business and commercial banking cash head Iris Ng.

Also present were OCBC Malaysia chief operating officer Chong Lee Ying, OCBC Singapore group managing director and head of global commercial banking Linus Goh, Tini’s Spa Beauty Slimming founder Hartini Halim and Kloth Circularity co-founder Sarahah Kedah.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2025/08/29/bank-backs-women-in-business