CIMB inks a collaboration with Pharmaniaga to enhance financial flexibility for healthcare SMEs

^{(From left) Gurdip Singh Sidhu, Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Berhad, Lawrence Loh, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Group Commercial and Transaction Banking, CIMB Group, Ahmad Shahredzuan Mohd Shariff, Chief Operating Officer, Pharmaniaga Berhad and Zulkifli Jafar, Managing Director, Pharmaniaga Berhad at the MoU signing to enhance supply chain financing and payment flexibility for healthcare SMEs, including clinics, pharmacies and medical buyers.}


Through the CIMB SME BusinessCard, the partnership seeks to enhance supply chain financing and offer improved payment flexibility to clinics and pharmacies

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- CIMB Bank Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Bank”) has signed a Collaboration Agreement (“Collaboration”) with Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmaniaga Berhad (“Pharmaniaga”) to enhance supply chain financing and ease payment flexibility for small and medium enterprises (“SMEs”) in the healthcare sector. The partnership aims to provide greater financial flexibility to clinics, pharmacies and medical buyers across the sector.

Under the Collaboration, CIMB and Pharmaniaga will offer enhanced payment flexibility to downstream buyers including private clinics and independent pharmacies through CIMB SME BusinessCard (“the Card”). Businesses can enjoy up to 50 days of extended credit when purchasing medical supplies using the Card and get unlimited 0.5% cash rebate on all Pharmaniaga purchases, offering a valuable incentive to improve cash flow and optimise working capital.

Lawrence Loh, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Group Commercial and Transaction Banking, CIMB Group, said, “We are pleased to partner with Pharmaniaga to deliver practical, value-added financing support for healthcare SMEs. These businesses play a crucial role in Malaysia’s healthcare ecosystem, and providing them with the right financial tools is key to strengthening their resilience and capacity to deliver quality care. By offering extended credit terms and early settlement incentives, we help clinics, pharmacies, and medical buyers better manage cash flow, reduce operational strain, while enhancing the quality of care they provide.”

“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to embedding needs-based financial innovation within supply chains across high-impact sectors. We aim to further expand our healthcare SME portfolio, driven by strategic collaborations with ecosystem partners and enhanced access to digital, sector-focused financing solutions. Through these efforts, we seek to play a meaningful role in building a more resilient and future-ready healthcare ecosystem across the country.

Zulkifli Jafar, Managing Director of Pharmaniaga Berhad, said, “This collaboration reflects Pharmaniaga's strong commitment to supporting our valued business partners with practical financial solutions to manage their supply chains more effectively. We encourage more clinics, pharmacies and healthcare SMEs leverage on this facility to ease daily operational and financial challenges. By offering greater payment flexibility and tailored financing options, we aim to empower our partners to grow sustainably while ensuring continuous access to a broad range of pharmaceutical products to serve their clients with confidence.”

CIMB is strengthening its focus on the SME healthcare segment, recognising its critical role in supporting national well-being and the growing demand for tailored financial solution. Through strategic partnerships like this, CIMB catalyses SMEs to grow sustainably with tailored solutions that boost efficiency and unlock new opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.

Launched in 2023 in partnership with Mastercard, the CIMB SME Business Card (“the Card”) is designed to meet the diverse needs of SMEs across various industries. The Card provides users with extended credit periods, unlimited cash rebates, and flexible payment options, enabling businesses to optimise their cash flow and better manage payables. Beyond its financial benefits, the Card also offers value-added privileges such as exclusive discounts and instalment plans, supporting SMEs in enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness. This solution aligns with CIMB’s broader commitment to delivering accessible, cost-effective financing and empowering businesses to accelerate their growth and digital transformation journeys.

The CIMB SME BusinessCard is open for application to a diverse range of business owners, including those managing private limited companies, limited liability partnerships, and sole proprietorships. For more information on the CIMB SME BusinessCard and how to apply, please visit www.cimb.com.my/SMECC

About CIMB

CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM75.2 billion as at 31 March 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines.

Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 592 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 31 March 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 92.5% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.8% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.

About Pharmaniaga

Pharmaniaga is the pharmaceutical arm of Boustead Holdings Berhad Group of Companies, which together with the Armed Forces Fund Board, are the substantial shareholders of the Company.

Listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, Pharmaniaga’s core businesses are generic pharmaceuticals manufacturing; research and development; marketing and sales; warehousing and distribution of pharmaceutical and medical products.

With a vision to be the premier Malaysian pharmaceutical company, its operations are strengthened by six manufacturing plants, as well as extensive logistics and distribution network in Malaysia and Indonesia. Pharmaniaga Group is positioned to be a regional player in the international pharmaceutical industry.

For more information, please visit Pharmaniaga website.

SOURCE: CIMB

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com / kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com

--BERNAMA