Accra:The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) is set to boost support for Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enter global markets via e-commerce platforms, providing overseas regulatory guidance and promoting their products internationally.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong emphasized that the initiative will extend beyond merely listing products online, aiming to assist businesses in meeting foreign market requirements and enhancing their competitiveness. He highlighted the importance of utilizing global e-commerce platforms, such as Alibaba, to showcase Malaysian products and services to a worldwide audience. This announcement was made at the Enterprise 50 (E50) Export Conference 2026, where SME Corp Malaysia's CEO Rizal Nainy was also present.
Sim revealed discussions with Alibaba during a recent visit to China, stressing the dual benefits of cross-border e-commerce selling Malaysian products overseas and allowing foreign products into Malaysia. He elaborated on the importance of providing assistance with permits, licenses, and other regulatory requirements to facilitate market entry and prevent Malaysian products from being overlooked amid global competition.
Additionally, SME Corp Malaysia will offer knowledge, guidance, and support to help smaller businesses leverage free trade agreements. Sim noted that SME exports grew by over 10 percent last year, making up about 15 percent of Malaysia's total exports, which reflects their global competitiveness. He assured that KUSKOP is committed to the ABCD framework, which focuses on productivity improvements, reducing bureaucracy, accessing capital, and expanding market access.
For Budget 2027, the ministry aims to secure more resources, lower operating costs, and enhance government support to help businesses thrive in global markets. The E50 conference also saw the signing of memoranda of understanding between SME Corp Malaysia and partners including the Entrepreneurship Development Company of Uzbekistan, Lazada Malaysia, and the Construction Industry Development Board.
Rizal Nainy stated that 66 development programs were implemented this year to enhance market access, with an allocation of RM293.98 million. These initiatives aim to strengthen SME capabilities, improve export readiness, and expand market reach. The E50 Export Conference, attended by nearly 300 SME participants, provided valuable insights into market trends and export readiness while expanding business networks.
Simultaneously, SME Corp Malaysia hosted a Digital and AI Scaling Seminar under the PRESTIGE 2.0 Global Value Chain Programme, targeting around 300 SMEs in high-growth and high-value sectors. The seminar, themed 'Tech Up, Scale Up', focused on helping SMEs adopt digitalization, automation, and technology to scale up their businesses.