Kuala lumpur: Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must take advantage of the country’s industrial strength and growth to scale, innovate, and venture abroad to remain competitive globally, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The minister highlighted Malaysia’s robust industrial and manufacturing sectors, which have significantly contributed to strong trade performance, with exports totaling RM1.3 trillion from January to October 2025.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, since the launch of NIMP 2030, the manufacturing sector’s value added to gross domestic product has risen by 13.5 percent, or RM45.3 billion, reaching RM382 billion in 2024. This growth is attributed to higher investments, business expansions, and increasing exports. Employment within the sector also saw a notable increase of 8.5 percent, or 222,000 jobs, bringing the total to 2.84 million in 2024, reflecting a steady rise in job opportunities driven by new investments.
Tengku Zafrul stressed the importance of SME readiness in capitalizing on this growth, emphasizing that to remain globally competitive, SMEs must scale, innovate, and explore international markets with access to capital, technology, talent, and reliable guidance. He mentioned that evolving is crucial, with the National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 aiming to establish 3,000 smart factories, a commitment to future-proofing Malaysia’s industry through automation, digital integration, data utilization, and workforce upskilling.
In addition, Tengku Zafrul acknowledged the achievements of award recipients and nominees, praising their contribution to reshaping Malaysia’s manufacturing landscape and demonstrating the country’s global competitiveness. He emphasized the recognition of excellence in categories such as Smart SME, Smart Mid-Tier, Technology Excellence, and People, celebrating both digital adoption pioneers and local technology providers. He concluded by acknowledging the importance of leadership, capability-building, and the human aspect of industrial progress.