KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- SME Corp Malaysia is releasing RM5 million worth of grants for applications under its Green LED Programme.

SME Corp's Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Hafsah Hashim said the focus of the incentives were in two areas including the purchase of high level automation machinery.

Hafsah said some 30 per cent grant with a cap of RM800,000 will be provided to companies that have successfully obtained loans for acquiring machineries.

The other incentive is a 50 per cent grant with a fixed cap of RM200,000 for acquiring relevant international certifications, Hafsah said at a media briefing here today.

To qualify for the grants, companies should fulfill the definition of a small and medium sized enterprise and also possess a SCORE (SME Competitiveness Rating For Enhancement) rating of at least three Stars. Priority will also be given to companies that have obtained the 1-InnoCERT certification.

The closing date for applications is May 10.

The programme is an initiative by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in collaboration with Green Technology Corp and the Performance Management & Delivery Unit (Pemandu) under the Prime Minister's Department.

SME Corp Malaysia has been given the lead role by Pemandu through MITI to grow local Solid-State Lighting (SSL)/Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) companies into industry champions.

Hafsah noted that credit guarantee facilities will also be made available by the Government under the Green Technology Funding Scheme (GTFS).

"To further add value to these incentives, SME Corp Malaysia is collaborating with Green Technology Corp and Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water to provide a fast track for companies to enjoy the benefits from the Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) under the GTFS.

"This collaboration seeks to facilitate SSL/LED companies procure their loans and projects," Hafsah said.

-- BERNAMA