MIDF MORE AGGRESSIVE TO REACH RURAL-BASED SMEs

Pekan, Pahang, 18 September 2006 - Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (“MIDF”) is aggressively marketing its financial facilities to reach potential entrepreneurs in more rural areas through its many branch offices located across the nation. This is in line with the Government’s urge to move up the value chain in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (“9MP”) by enhancing the value added offerings in manufacturing, services and agriculture.

MIDF’s Development Finance Division has always been one of the Development Financial Institutions (“DFIs”) designated by the Federal Government to manage and disburse funds provided by the Ministry of Finance, Bank Negara Malaysia and Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (“SMIDEC”). MIDF provides financing facilities to diverse sectors, from manufacturing and manufacturing-related services to other services including education, healthcare and IT-related services, infrastructure and utilities as well as tourism.

The Small and Medium Enterprises (“SMEs”) assisted by MIDF are mainly involved in sectors such as metal and engineering; non-metallic mineral products; wood and wood products; and food and beverages.