SMALL and medium industries and enterprises (SMIs and SMEs) should capitalise fully on the government grants offered to help them expand their businesses.

Penang Gerakan SMI Bureau chairman Michael Heah said many SMIs and SMES were still unaware that the Government had introduced the ‘New Business Start-Up Grant’ to help them.

Under the grant, Heah said the Government would pay 50% of premises rental up to a maximum of RM40,000 over 24 months.

“And the good thing is, one does not have to repay the grant,” he told a press conference recently.

Heah added that new businesses registered under the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and the Registrar of Businesses (ROB), except for insurance and finance businesses, could apply for the grants.

He said Gerakan SMI has roped in two accountants and a company secretary to assist entrepreneurs to apply for grants.

He said the first 100 qualified SMIs or SMEs which registered with the Batu Uban and Bukit Tengah Gerakan service centres from Dec 5 and Dec 6 would get the services for free.

“Normally, fees charged by professional accountants are priced between RM1,000 to RM3,000 per proposal,” he said.

Those interested can visit Gerakan Batu Uban office (Tel 04-6440788/ 0124337963) every Wednesday from 3.30pm to 5pm and Batu Kawan office (012-4925343) every Thursday from 8.30pm to 10pm.