KUALA LUMPUR – The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) remains committed to strengthening the scaling agenda for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to boost national economic growth and build a resilient and competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The ministry has set a target to increase the proportion of medium-sized enterprises within the overall MSME composition to 5% by 2030, compared to just 1.8% in 2023.
According to its Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, key initiatives identified to drive this agenda include encouraging MSME involvement in high value-added activities.
He added that the ministry is also expanding participation in disruptive business models, enhancing involvement in global value chains, and increasing the listing of MSMEs on public markets.
“KUSKOP is also focusing on developing MSMEs in the halal industry through the Halal Entrepreneurship Development Programme (PPKH), which covers halal industry capacity development, halal product innovation, and internationalisation of halal entrepreneurs,” he said.
To further strengthen Bumiputera entrepreneur participation, various programmes are being implemented under the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 (DKN 2030) and the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35).
These include:
- Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP)
- Bumiputera Export Promotion Programme (GEB)
- Business Export Programme (BEP)
- Bumiputera Rapid Acceleration & Value Enhancement (BRAVE)
- Jaguh Serantau Programme
- Vendor Development Programme
He stated this during the winding-up speech for the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) Debate in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Empowering the Cooperative Movement
Ewon also highlighted that the government is focusing on strengthening the cooperative movement, particularly involving FELDA investment cooperatives, FELDA settlers’ cooperatives, village cooperatives, and veteran military cooperatives.
In 2025, substantial funding has been allocated via the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) including:
- RM100 million for the SKM Revolving Capital Fund (TMPSKM)
- RM4.75 million for PPMK 2.0
- RM2 million for SCOPE
- RM3 million for the SE.RASI programme
“Efforts are also being made to empower social enterprises (SE) through the **Malaysia Social Entrepreneurship Action Plan 2030 (SEMy2030),” he said.
As of August 2025, a total of 520 business entities, including MSMEs and cooperatives, have been certified as social enterprises.
New Policies under RMK-13
Commenting on new policies and directions under RMK-13, Ewon said that KUSKOP will continue to lead MSME development through the establishment of the:
- National Entrepreneur and MSME Development Council (MPUPK) – chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister
- National Entrepreneurship Development Council (MPKN) – for state-level coordination
He emphasized that new policies under RMK-13 will prioritise:
- “Made by Malaysia” products and services in government procurement
- Guaranteeing MSME participation in foreign investment projects
- Empowering micro-entrepreneurs, especially in border regions
- To support digital adoption, several initiatives have been introduced:
- TikTok Shop Studio by TEKUN Nasional
- SME Technology Transformation Fund (STTF) by SME Bank
- Online TEKUN Financing Scheme (SPOT)
- MyMall platform by KUSKOP
Entrepreneurs are also being supported in accessing international markets through programmes such as:
- Business Export Programme (BEP) 3.0
- SMEs Go Global
- Bumiputera Export Promotion Programme (GEB)
- Participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
To facilitate easier access to financing, financial institutions including TEKUN, AIM, Bank Rakyat, SME Bank, Pernas, and SME Corp are improving application processes, simplifying requirements, and speeding up approval times.
Lastly, Ewon mentioned that in line with the implementation of e-Invoicing, KUSKOP, through INSKEN, SME Corp., and TEKUN, is working with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDNM) to help MSMEs enhance financial efficiency and tax compliance.