CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (CIMB Islamic) continues to drive inclusive and sustainable development through its flagship iTEKAD initiatives with the iTEKAD CIMB Islamic Melon Manis Terengganu Graduate Agropreneur Programme, reinforcing CIMB’s purpose of Advancing Customers and Society.
Since 2023, the Bank has mobilised RM750,000 in seed funding to empower 40 underserved and asnaf students across two cohorts through sustainable agropreneurship, resulting in the cultivation of approximately 12,000 Melon Manis Terengganu (“MMT”) plants, a premium crop with high commercial potential.
Following the success of its inaugural cohort, CIMB has committed to expand the Programme for a second cohort, extending training and production across four greenhouses in Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (“UniSZA”) Besut Campus, reaffirming its continued support for underserved communities and the development of practical, income-generating opportunities.
Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairman of CIMB Group, together with Dato’ Mohd Hj. Fadzli Yusof, Board of Trustee, Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan (“YDSM”), Prof. Dato’ Dr. Fadzli Adam, Vice Chancellor of UniSZA, Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Group, Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic, Haniz Nazlan, Chief Executive Officer of Group Consumer Banking, CIMB and Toni Darusman, Group Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, CIMB officiated the launch of the new cohort and greenhouses.
Novan said, “This programme reflects our commitment to advancing customers and society by harnessing Islamic social finance as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable nation‑building. By thoughtfully integrating financial inclusion with capacity building, we empower students to develop resilient livelihoods while strengthening local agro‑based value chains and enhancing income opportunities in Terengganu.
