KUALA LUMPUR:The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) has approved 29 out of 430 applications for the Smart Automation Grant (SAG) as of Oct 15, 2020, involving funds totalling RM3.13 million.

In a written reply in Parliament today, Miti said it has processed 61 applications for the grant, while 369 others are still being evaluated.

The ministry said this in reply to a question from Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) on the number of applications it had received and approved for the SAG.

The grant aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises and middle-tier companies in the manufacturing, production and high value-added services sectors to automate their business processes and operations through the use of digital technology.

Under the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA), the government had allocated RM10 million for the SAG, which is managed by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

"The implementation of this grant entails the cooperation of financial institutions and industry partners, such as telecommunications companies and industry experts, "said MITI.

--BERNAMA