Malaysia’s Digital Ministry has welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of additional support measures for the country’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs), amid global economic uncertainties and new tariffs imposed by the US.
In a statement today, the ministry said these initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to sustaining and empowering the SME sector, which forms the backbone of Malaysia’s economic resilience.
The measures announced include:
- An additional RM1 billion government guarantee under the Business Financing Guarantee Scheme to ease SME access to credit in challenging conditions.
- A further RM500 million in soft loan financing through development financial institutions to support cash flow and operational continuity.
- An injection of RM50 million to MATRADE to help local SMEs expand their global presence through international expos, trade exhibitions, and structured matchmaking with foreign buyers.
“In direct synergy with these national efforts, the Digital Ministry will fast-track the implementation of the Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI), launched last month to equip SMEs with the tools and knowledge required for digital transformation,” the statement read.
The BDI is backed by a RM1.5 billion blended funding pool and includes:
- Freemium digital solutions to lower the cost of doing business.
- Comprehensive digitalisation toolkits, including customised advisory and assessment services.
- Access to an integrated ecosystem of public and private partners.
“In just a month since its launch, the BDI has attracted over 20,000 funding interests from SMEs through partners such as Maybank, CapBay, Funding Societies, and Boost, in collaboration with more than 50 business associations nationwide.
“The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) will also begin the Digital Maturity Assessment process, starting with Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor, and Selangor, where over 30,000 SMEs have expressed interest in digitalising their operations. The process will later be extended to other states.”
Digital Minister urges SMEs to leverage AI, data to enhance business
Earlier, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the government’s initiatives have always aimed to provide SMEs with the resources, knowledge, and support needed to navigate the digital landscape effectively.
Speaking at the launch of the CTOS SME Biz Day 2025 in Kuala Lumpur this morning, Gobind highlighted several key focus areas for SMEs in adopting digital tools.
“It is crucial for SMEs to understand the importance of digital marketing and e-commerce in today’s world. To effectively reach their target markets, businesses must tap into the many available online platforms,” he said.
Gobind also stressed the importance of cybersecurity. “SMEs must protect their data to maintain customer trust and safeguard operations. CyberSecurity Malaysia has introduced the Cyber Security Academy, offering technical and vocational education and training courses,” he said.
He added that SMEs should harness data analytics to gain insights into customer behaviour, market trends, and operational efficiency. “By leveraging data, businesses can optimise processes, enhance decision-making, and drive growth. This aligns with MDEC’s Data Driven Enterprise Programme.”
“Last but not least, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers SMEs a unique opportunity to streamline and automate their operations — from customer service to inventory management — enabling them to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.”
