PUTRAJAYA, 27 June 2026 — Malaysia’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) continue to serve as the backbone of the nation’s economy, supporting more than eight million jobs and contributing nearly 40 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), said Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.

In conjunction with International MSME Day 2026, the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives paid tribute to Malaysia’s MSME community, recognising its vital role in sustaining livelihoods through businesses ranging from neighbourhood retail shops and restaurants to small manufacturers, service providers and family-owned enterprises.

Despite ongoing global challenges, including rising operating costs driven by the Global Supply Crisis and geopolitical uncertainties, Steven Sim said the MSME sector has remained resilient, employing more than eight million people—equivalent to nearly half of Malaysia’s workforce.

He said the MADANI Government remains committed to strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in recognition of the sector’s importance to economic growth and public well-being.

In 2025 alone, the government implemented 344 entrepreneurship and MSME development programmes with a total allocation of RM31.63 billion.

The initiatives resulted in the creation of 6,600 new entrepreneurs, improved business management among 50,000 MSMEs, and enabled 8,000 businesses to digitalise their operations.

Businesses that received government assistance also recorded a combined increase of RM870 million in sales and RM6.8 billion in export revenue.

Building on that momentum, Steven Sim said the government has planned more than 300 MSME development programmes for 2026, backed by a total allocation of RM60 billion.

The programmes will focus on financing, human capital development, market access, infrastructure, and technology and innovation adoption, in line with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives’ (KUSKOP) ABCD framework—Productivity Transformation, Bureaucratic Simplification, Capital Accessibility, and Market Access.

He said the ministry believes that strengthening MSMEs will create more employment opportunities, reinforce the national economy, and improve the well-being of Malaysians.

Beyond helping businesses remain operational, the government’s long-term objective is to support Malaysian MSMEs in evolving into high-value enterprises, expanding beyond domestic markets into international markets, and transitioning from technology users to creators of innovation and value.

Steven Sim also extended his wishes to entrepreneurs across the country in conjunction with International MSME Day 2026, encouraging them to continue driving the growth and competitiveness of Malaysian businesses.