Kajang:Putrajaya The National Hawkers and Small Traders Day Carnival 2026 (HPPK 2026) has achieved RM9.5 million in potential financing, significantly surpassing its initial target of RM5 million. This development offers hawkers and small traders enhanced opportunities for business expansion.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong stated that the three-day event, which concluded recently, also facilitated RM1.5 million in business matching, underscoring the sector's crucial role in bolstering the national economy.

The carnival, hosted at Dataran MPKj, Stadium Kajang, recorded RM715,000 in sales, exceeding the RM500,000 target by 43 percent. It attracted 58,967 visitors, surpassing the initial visitor target of 50,000.

Minister Sim emphasized that HPPK 2026 served not only as a sales platform but also as a strategic venue for connecting hawkers and small traders with financing institutions, potential business partners, and new market opportunities.

Organized by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) from October 30 to November 1, the carnival brought together 300 hawkers and small traders nationwide under the theme 'Penjaja dan Peniaga Kecil Bestari Pemangkin Ekonomi MADANI'. Participants benefited from trading spaces, financing advisory services, business matching, entrepreneurship training, and exposure to technology and digital marketing to enhance their competitiveness.

The closing ceremony was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also presented the Hawkers and Small Traders Excellence Awards (AKPPK) 2026 to 10 recipients. These awards recognized entrepreneurs who excelled in various categories, with 43 nominations received from entrepreneurs associated with KUSKOP agencies such as TEKUN Nasional, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), SME Corp Malaysia, and the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN).