SME Loan Sarawak 2026
Sarawak, Malaysia's largest state by land area, has a diverse economy spanning oil & gas, timber, agriculture, and rapidly growing manufacturing sectors. Here's your comprehensive guide to SME financing in Sarawak.
Quick Facts
Pro Tip
Sarawak has significant state autonomy and resources. The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and state government programs complement federal financing options.
Banks with Strong Sarawak Presence
Major Banks in Sarawak
| Bank | Sarawak Branches | Key Locations | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maybank | 30+ branches | Kuching, Miri, Sibu | 1300 88 6688 |
| CIMB | 20+ branches | Kuching, Miri, Bintulu | 1300 880 900 |
| Public Bank | 15+ branches | Major towns | 1800 22 9999 |
| RHB | 12+ branches | Kuching, Miri | 1300 88 1888 |
| Hong Leong | 8+ branches | Kuching, Miri | 03-7626 8899 |
| Alliance Bank | 5+ branches | Kuching, Miri | 03-2604 3333 |
Regional Strength
| Bank | Sarawak Focus |
|---|---|
| BSN | Strong rural network |
| Agrobank | Agriculture sector |
| Bank Rakyat | Islamic financing |
Pro Tip
Banks in Sarawak have strong relationships with local industries. Choose a bank with expertise in your sector - CIMB and Maybank for O&G services, Agrobank for agriculture.
Key Industries in Sarawak
Oil & Gas and Energy
Sarawak is a major O&G producer:
| O&G Segment | Financing Options |
|---|---|
| O&G services | GGSM2 bank loans |
| Equipment/suppliers | Asset-based financing |
| Petrochemical | Large corporate facilities |
| LNG support services | Working capital |
Key O&G Areas:
- Miri (O&G hub)
- Bintulu (LNG, petrochemical)
Timber and Wood Products
| Timber Activity | Best Financing |
|---|---|
| Timber processing | GGSM2, Agrobank |
| Furniture manufacturing | SME Bank, bank loans |
| Plywood production | Trade financing |
| Sustainable forestry | Green financing |
Agriculture
| Agricultural Sector | Financing Options |
|---|---|
| Palm oil | Agrobank, FELCRA |
| Pepper (Sarawak specialty) | Agrobank, TEKUN |
| Rice farming | Agrobank, TEKUN |
| Aquaculture | Agrobank, LKIM |
SCORE Corridor Industries
Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) attracts:
| Industry | Financing Support |
|---|---|
| Aluminum smelting | Large corporate facilities |
| Steel manufacturing | Industrial financing |
| Glass production | Equipment financing |
| Manganese processing | Project financing |
State Government Resources
SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation)
Services for SMEs:
- Business development support
- Financing facilitation
- Industrial land/premises
- Joint venture opportunities
TEKUN Sarawak
Multiple offices across Sarawak:
| Location | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Kuching | Southwest region |
| Miri | Northern region |
| Sibu | Central region |
| Bintulu | Central coast |
TEKUN Sarawak Eligibility
- Bumiputera Malaysian citizen
- Business in Sarawak
- SSM registered
- Age 18-60 years
- Viable business plan
SME Corp Sarawak
Location: Kuching regional office
Services:
- Business advisory
- Financing facilitation
- Training and capacity building
- Market access programs
Sarawak Foundation (Yayasan Sarawak)
Educational and entrepreneurship support programs
Sarawak-Specific Financing Opportunities
SCORE Corridor Incentives
For businesses in SCORE designated areas:
| Incentive | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Pioneer status | Tax exemption period |
| Investment tax allowance | Capital allowances |
| Infrastructure support | Government-provided utilities |
Bumiputera Programs (Sarawak context)
Special programs for Sarawakian Bumiputera:
| Program | Focus |
|---|---|
| MARA Sarawak | General business support |
| SEDC Programs | Sarawak native entrepreneurs |
| TEKUN | Bumiputera SMEs |
| PUNB | Larger Bumiputera businesses |
Rural Enterprise Financing
For businesses in rural Sarawak:
| Program | Coverage |
|---|---|
| BSN Micro | Rural accessibility |
| Agrobank | Agricultural areas |
| AIM | Women entrepreneurs |
Industry-Specific Financing
For Oil & Gas Businesses
O&G Financing Options
- GGSM2 bank loans for working capital
- Contract financing for project work
- Trade finance for equipment imports
- Invoice factoring against O&G receivables
- Equipment leasing for machinery
For Timber/Wood Businesses
Timber Industry Financing
- Agrobank forestry programs
- GGSM2 for processing equipment
- Export financing for timber exports
- Working capital for inventory
- Green financing for sustainable practices
For Agriculture
Agricultural Financing
- Agrobank (primary choice)
- TEKUN for smallholders
- FELCRA schemes (palm oil)
- Malaysian Pepper Board support (pepper)
- LKIM (fisheries)
Comparing Major Sarawak Cities
| Factor | Kuching | Miri | Sibu | Bintulu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | Largest | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
| Economy | Services, government | O&G, tourism | Trading, timber | O&G, industrial |
| Bank Presence | Highest | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Key Industries | Services, F&B | O&G services | Timber, trading | LNG, petrochemical |
Cross-Border & Export Financing
Sarawak businesses often trade with:
Indonesia (Kalimantan)
| Activity | Financing |
|---|---|
| Border trade | Trade financing |
| Timber imports | LC facilities |
| Agricultural trade | Working capital |
Brunei
| Activity | Financing |
|---|---|
| Services export | Working capital |
| Supply contracts | Contract financing |
Export Markets (Global)
| Product | Export Finance |
|---|---|
| Timber/plywood | EXIM Bank |
| Pepper | Trade credit |
| LNG services | Project financing |
Challenges and Solutions for Sarawak SMEs
Geographic Distance from KL
Challenge: Distance from Peninsular may affect access to some programs
Solutions:
- Use strong local bank branches
- Leverage SEDC facilitation
- Apply online where available
- P2P platforms are geography-agnostic
Diverse Geographic Spread
Challenge: Business locations spread across large area
Solutions:
- BSN and Agrobank have rural presence
- TEKUN offices in major towns
- Mobile banking solutions
- Regional bank branches
Seasonal Agricultural Income
Challenge: Agricultural businesses face seasonal patterns
Solutions:
- Build working capital reserves
- Flexible repayment structures
- Agrobank understands agricultural cycles
- Revenue-based financing
Tips for Sarawak Loan Applications
Strengthen Your Application
- Highlight connection to key Sarawak industries
- Document any SCORE corridor participation
- Show stable revenue despite any seasonality
- Include SEDC or state program involvement
- Note export markets and customers
- Demonstrate local market knowledge
GGSM2 Access in Sarawak
All 20 participating banks have Sarawak presence. Recommended:
| Bank | Strength |
|---|---|
| Maybank | Largest branch network |
| CIMB | Strong O&G sector expertise |
| Agrobank | Agriculture focus |
| BSN | Rural accessibility |
Alternative Financing in Sarawak
P2P Lenders
National platforms serve Sarawak:
- Funding Societies
- Fundaztic
- Validus
Microfinancing
- TEKUN Sarawak
- Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia
- BSN micro schemes
Invoice Financing
Particularly useful for:
- O&G service contractors
- Timber exporters
- Government suppliers
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Financing for Your Sarawak Business
Disclaimer: Interest rates, loan amounts, and eligibility requirements shown are indicative and subject to change. Contact the respective bank or institution directly for the latest rates and terms. Last reviewed: January 2026.
Sarawak SME Financing Consultation
Free consultation for Sarawak SMEs. We understand the unique industries and opportunities in Malaysia's largest state.