KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Most Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are trailing behind larger enterprises in their digitalisation journey, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
He said to address the issue, the ministry has implemented initiatives such as the Business Digitalisation Initiative, recently launched by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, to help SMEs accelerate the adoption of digital technology in their operations.
“The Madani Government has also set aside RM50 million for digital matching grants for SMEs and digital grants for vendors.
“Global technology companies based in Malaysia, such as Microsoft and Alibaba Cloud, are working closely with the government to assist SMEs through multiple programmes,” he said in his keynote address at the CTOS SME Biz Day 2025 today.
Gobind said the government is also committed to ensuring SMEs are prioritised in navigating current geopolitical challenges, with funds allocated for this purpose, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament yesterday.
He said the government’s initiatives were designed to provide SMEs with the resources, knowledge, and support they need to effectively navigate the digital landscape.
“Our vision is to create a digitally empowered Malaysia — where every business, regardless of size, can thrive in our national digital ecosystem.
“We are committed to fostering an environment that supports innovation, digital adoption, and ultimately, building up Malaysia as a strong digital nation,” he added.
Yesterday, Anwar announced the government would increase government guarantees under the Business Financing Guarantee Scheme by RM1 billion to assist SMEs affected by the United States’ tariff hikes to secure commercial bank loans.
Another RM50 million was allocated to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation to expedite efforts for SMEs to explore new markets through participation in international trade shows, as well as facilitating business matching with foreign buyers.
— Bernama
