KUALA LUMPUR: The launch of a strategic initiative worth RM211 million by Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) is set to support the sustainable and inclusive growth of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) segment.
Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, said the government has already mandated SME Bank to spearhead various strategic initiatives with an allocation exceeding RM1 billion for 2025, including this new initiative.
“The launch of these strategic programmes by SME Bank is to realise the government’s desire and aspiration to stimulate SME-driven growth, strengthen the resilience of the domestic economy, and subsequently help maintain investor confidence in Malaysia,” he said at the launch of the 2025 Budget Initiative event organised by SME Bank today.
The new initiative was launched by Amir Hamzah and witnessed by the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Amir Hamzah said the initiative focuses on key areas such as technology, environment, social, and governance (ESG), tourism, and halal sectors, in line with national priorities outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
“This reflects the country’s future direction towards a more modern, sustainable, and competitive economy,” he said.
In the context of the MADANI economic framework, this initiative reinforces the government’s efforts to strengthen the MSME financing ecosystem, drive growth in the manufacturing, industrial sectors, and emerging sectors, promote digitalisation among local entrepreneurs, and ensure a balance between economic progress and social sustainability.
Meanwhile, Amir Hamzah announced that SME Bank became part of the Malaysian development bank group starting May 1, 2025.
“I believe the rationalisation of development financial institutions involving Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB), SME Bank, and EXIM Bank will create synergy, enabling more efficient capital distribution through a strengthened development financing ecosystem – delivering greater impact on a larger scale,” he said.
He noted that the integration of capabilities among these financial development institutions will enhance the effective implementation of key national economic policies and foster a more comprehensive and meaningful impact on the overall MSME ecosystem.
“The process also opens up opportunities for targeted approaches, a more strategic focus, and more efficient resource mobilisation in supporting the growth and competitiveness of SMEs at both domestic and international levels,” he added.
Acting President and Group Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank, Datuk Dr Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, said at a press conference that cost savings resulting from the bank’s integration are only expected to materialise next year.
For 2025, Mohammad Hardee said SME Bank will continue to operate independently until the end of this year.
“We are already seeing synergies among the three entities. Previously, SME Bank may have focused on a specific segment within the SME community.
“However, with BPMB, we are now able to approach it from the perspective of a more comprehensive financing ecosystem.
“As for EXIM Bank, we can support their efforts to facilitate export activities by our SMEs through the facilities it provides.
“Therefore, we can see strong synergies not only in the offerings but also in the institutional strengths,” he said.
BPMB announced the acquisition of shares in EXIM Bank and SME Bank from the Minister of Finance (Incorporated) last month.
The BPMB Group, now with EXIM Bank and SME Bank as its subsidiaries, forms an integrated entity aimed at delivering impact capital more comprehensively through the development financing ecosystem.
The restructuring of the three entities was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of Budget 2024. – BERNAMA
