SME Compass 3.0 Empowers Malaysia’s SME Landscape
- thefxigroup
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
A powerful alliance equips local entrepreneurs—especially women-led SMEs—with tools for digital growth, financing access, and global expansion.
Empowering Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is taking a more strategic turn with SME Compass 3.0, a new initiative by SME Malaysia’s National Women Entrepreneurs Bureau in partnership with MATRADE, Bank Islam, and SJPP. Launched on 16 June 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, the platform provides financial inclusion, export-readiness and digital capability training for over 100 women-led and export-ready SMEs.
This bold effort focuses on holistic SME growth: lecture sessions offered market insights on digital trade via the new MADANI Digital Trade platform, financial literacy workshops covered funding options with preferential loans and government-backed guarantees, and export coaching sessions opened pathways to global markets. By bringing together public and private sector stakeholders, SME Compass 3.0 aims to address critical growth barriers like funding gaps, lack of export experience, and limited access to digital tools.
The impact is clear: SMEs account for 97% of Malaysian businesses and nearly half of national employment, making their resilience crucial to sustainable economic recovery. With new tools and expert support, participants gain a competitive edge at home and abroad.
This initiative complements wider SME support efforts. The 2025 budget earmarked billions in financial grants, digital matching funds, and export financing for small businesses. Government agencies like UNGCMYB and Alliance Bank are also stepping up: recent research shows SME ESG awareness jumped from 14% to 80% in two years, prompting sustainability training programmes in states like Selangor.
For SMEs, especially those led by women, SME Compass 3.0 marks a significant turning point. It delivers practical, actionable support—making export readiness, fintech adoption, and sustainable business practices accessible. In doing so, it highlights the critical role strong SMEs play in driving Malaysia’s inclusive and climate-forward economic future.
Sources:
