AEON Bank and Suri Collaborate to Boost Incomes for Malaysia's B40 Women
Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- AEON Bank, Malaysia's first Islamic digital bank, has partnered with social enterprise Suri Inspirasi Sdn Bhd (Suri) to empower women from B40 communities.
- The collaboration launches the Sustainable. Reliable. Income (S.R.I.) program, designed to help mothers, women, and youth generate sustainable income.
- The program, aligned with Bank Negara Malaysia's iTEKAD initiative, will provide skills training, including Indigo Shibori tie-dye techniques, and opportunities to earn income through sewing projects and premium merchandise.
In a significant move towards financial inclusion and economic empowerment, AEON Bank, Malaysia's pioneering Islamic digital bank, has forged a strategic alliance with Suri Inspirasi Sdn Bhd (Suri), a dedicated social enterprise. This collaboration marks a crucial step in uplifting women from the Bottom 40% (B40) income group, offering them a pathway to sustainable livelihoods.
The newly launched Sustainable. Reliable. Income (S.R.I.) program is a testament to AEON Bank's commitment to social responsibility, directly addressing the financial challenges faced by Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 60. By providing comprehensive training in practical skills such as sewing and product development, including specialized techniques like Indigo Shibori tie-dye using recycled materials, the program equips participants with marketable abilities.
This initiative, fully sponsored by AEON Bank and aligned with Bank Negara Malaysia's iTEKAD social finance program, goes beyond mere skills transfer. It creates tangible income-generating opportunities, such as sewing school uniforms for donation and producing premium souvenirs sold via the Suri Lifestyle platform. The partnership with Zucchini & Co. for digital marketing modules further enhances participants' reach and earning potential in the digital economy. From a Malaysian perspective, this program exemplifies a holistic approach to economic development, fostering self-reliance and community well-being within vulnerable segments of society.
Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.