新作坊

Economic and social impact of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) scheme: A Case study in Kedah and Terengganu

摘要：

Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) was established in 1987. The main objective of its establishment was to lift households out of poverty through providing small loans to the rural poor in Malaysia. Most studies of AIM have concentrated only on the impact of this scheme on its members. They do not compare the conditions with non-members within the same community. This paper attempts to analyze an economic and social impact of AIM in the selected areas in Kedah and Terengganu. The analysis is based on data collected in 1993, which comprise 100 respondents of which 60 respondents are members of AIM and the other 40 are non-members. Since the data comprises of members and non-members of AIM, the comparative analysis of economic and social impact is made possible. Emphasized aspects include levels of income, expenditure, decision-making process, empowerment for instant ownership of asset and saving, self-esteem and health and participation in social, economic and political organizations.