A total of 100 petty traders participated in the Mesra Niaga’ campaign since July, organised by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council Zakat Collection Centre (PPZ-MAIWP), to help micro-entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Deputy chief executive officer (operations) Mohammed Hassan said the campaign also served to encourage traders who are not yet eligible to pay zakat (tithe) to start paying business zakat from RM100 at all PPZ-MAIWP collection centres.

He said PPZ-MAIWP, together with other local strategic partners, will be reaching out to local petty traders, such as at night markets or entrepreneurship programmes, to encourage greater participation.

The strategic partners include the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad,” he told Bernama today.

Apart from free zakat assessment and advice for businesses, zakat payers who participate in the campaign will also enjoy benefits such as free business registration under the Free Business Registration Programme (SPPP).

He said they are also eligible to receive Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) contributions of only RM46.60 per annum and iTEKAD Maju MicroFinance from Bank Islam of RM10,000 to RM50,000, in addition to introductory sessions, training and business advice for successful applications.

Mohammed hoped that the offer can be fully utilised to promote and grow the business of existing and new zakat payers.

The campaign will run for three months, from July 24 to Oct 24, and is open to micro-entrepreneurs such as traders, hawkers and small and medium sized entrepreneurs who pay business zakat at PPZ-MAIWP.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency