KUALA LUMPUR, 25 September 2025 – SME Bank Xcess 2025 has emerged as a key catalyst in Malaysia’s efforts to expand the global footprint of its small and medium enterprises (SMEs), bringing together over 500 local companies and 20 international buyers on a strategic platform designed to promote business matching, global networking, and high-value export opportunities.
Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), Datuk Ewon Benedick, reaffirmed the government’s commitment under the MADANI framework to strengthen the competitiveness of local SMEs and position them to succeed on the world stage.
“As one of the ministries under the MADANI Government, we aspire for more SMEs to leverage platforms such as SME Bank Xcess 2025. With financial support, strategic partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives, we are confident that local entrepreneurs will not only achieve business growth but also elevate Malaysia’s economic standing globally,” he said at the launch of SME Bank Xcess 2025, here today.
He added that Malaysia is currently on a strong recovery trajectory, with the SME sector recording 5.8 percent growth in 2024, contributing 39.5 percent to the nation’s GDP.
To strengthen export capabilities, KUSKOP has introduced a range of targeted initiatives, including the Business Exports Programme (BEP), Regional Champion Programme, Bumiputera Export Development Programme (GEB), and the Glocal SME Programme (GLoSMEP).
- BEP – Backed by an allocation of RM21.5 million since 2020, the programme has successfully equipped 98 high-performing SMEs with structured training and market entry strategies, generating RM419 million in export sales across Southeast Asia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Regional Champion Programme – Provided RM173.24 million in financing to 19 companies up to October 2024 to strengthen the presence of Bumiputera SMEs in regional markets.
- GEB – Benefited 247 SMEs as of October 2024, including 10 entrepreneurs who received grants worth RM1.51 million, while 237 others underwent export-related training.
- GLoSMEP – Enabled 260 SMEs to participate in 373 business-matching sessions with anchor companies, creating potential sales opportunities of RM42.5 million.
In addition, agencies under KUSKOP, such as TEKUN Nasional, Bank Rakyat, and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), channeled more than RM9.6 billion in financing and grants to over 300,000 entrepreneurs nationwide in 2024.
According to Ewon, these achievements demonstrate the government’s holistic approach in fostering a MADANI entrepreneurial ecosystem that is inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive.
The launch event was also attended by KUSKOP Secretary-General Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud; SME Bank Chairman Dato’ Muslim Hussain; and Acting President/Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of SME Bank, Samad Majid Zain Abdul Majid.
