Developing alternative credit clearance model for business enterprises in Malaysia

Abstract

Studies have shown that MSMEs enhance competition through economy-wide entrepreneurship, encouraging innovation and improving efficiency as their industries grow. Due to their size, Malaysian MSMEs face many problems with regards to business operations, one of which is access to financing for working capital management. The thesis sought to identify the main problems faced by Malaysian MSMEs in raising finance to meet their working capital requirements in business operations, and also discussed the usage and impact of trade credit within local MSMEs. The main finding of this study was that access to financing, heavy competition from peers, and production and labour costs were the main pressing issues for MSMEs in the Klang Valley. In addition, the reluctance of over half the MSMEs to accept the terms of the loans due to high costs indicate a huge opportunity for cheaper financing alternatives. On trade credit offering practices, it was found that majority of MSMEs offer no trade credit and demand Cash-on-Delivery (COD) from their customers. When the MSME is the buyer, the most common term quoted is also COD, entailing that they must pay cash upon delivery, and requires them to often ensure sufficient liquidity to meet needs. An alternative financing strategy that utilises complementary currency backed by trade credit is then proposed for adoption by MSMEs to boost their liquidity positions. This clearing system incorporates the elements of trade credit financing, complementary currencies, credit clearing and bay al dayn to come up with an alternative payment system that would provide benefit for all stakeholders involved.