The Effect of Microcredit on Women Micro and Small Business Sustainability in Malaysia

The purpose of this research is to explore how access to Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) microcredit influence women micro and small businesses. An exploratory single case study was conducted to explore how access to microcredit influence women micro and small business in urban Malaysia (Selangor). The semi structure interview with an open question was used to collect data from 22 women who received productive loans from AIM before three years, while content analysis was used to analysis the data. We found that access to microcredit enables women to participate in economic activities and own businesses. It also enabled them to make revenue as well as gain profit. However, there were some difficulties impede women business growth and sustainability such as lack of product diversity and the inflexible of the implementation process of loan disbursement and repayment. Therefore, re-innovate AIM product as well as process is an important factor for women small business sustainability. In addition, control market competition and protect micro businesses is another an important factor towards sustainability.