The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has launched SARANA, an alternative financing scheme designed to meet the working capital needs of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as small contractors participating in government contracts. This scheme is also facilitated through nine SC-registered peer-to-peer financing (P2P) platform operators.

The scheme provides financing for MSMEs and contractors engaged in government contracts related to supplies, services, or works. It offers two key financing options: invoice financing, which addresses cash flow requirements after contract delivery, and pre-financing for contract implementation, which supports initial working capital needs before a project begins.

The P2P platform operators participating in SARANA include Bay Smart Capital Ventures Sdn Bhd, B2B Finpal Sdn Bhd, Capsphere Services Sdn Bhd, Crowd Sense Sdn Bhd, P2P Nusa Kapital Sdn Bhd, FBM Crowdtech Sdn Bhd, MicroLEAP PLT, Modalku Ventures Sdn Bhd, and Moneysave (M) Sdn Bhd. 

SARANA aligns with the government’s support for P2P financing, as announced during the Budget 2025 tabling. The initiative aims to address funding challenges faced by companies that may have limited access to traditional financing. It also forms part of the SC’s five-year roadmap, Catalysing MSME and MTC Access to the Capital Market (2024–2028), which focuses on improving capital market accessibility for smaller businesses.

Since the introduction of the P2P regulatory framework by the SC in 2016, registered P2P platforms have collectively facilitated RM7.9 billion in financing for locally incorporated companies as of 30 September 2024. More details about SARANA can be found at www.sc.com.my/sarana. 

(Source: Securities Commission Malaysia)