Kick-start your entrepreneurship journey.

SME Corp. Malaysia provides assistance and support for business startups at different stages of growth and strives to build a vibrant startup landscape where innovative startups can flourish and grow in a sustainable manner.

SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia) is the central coordinating agency (CCA) under the Ministry of Entrepreneur & Cooperatives Development (MECD) that coordinates the implementation of development programmes for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across all related Ministries and agencies. It acts as the central point of reference for research and data dissemination on SMEs and entrepreneurs, as well as provides business advisory services for SMEs and entrepreneurs throughout the country. 

The genesis of SME Corp. Malaysia dates back to 2 May 1996, when a specialised agency was established under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to spur the development of small and medium industries (SMIs) by providing infrastructure support, financial assistance, advisory services, market access and various other support programmes. Known as the Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC), its aim was to develop capable and resilient Malaysian SMIs to be competitive in the global market.

In 2004, the National SME Development Council (NSDC) was established to ensure the comprehensive and coordinated development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. As the highest policy-making body for the overall development of SMEs, its role was to formulate strategies for SME development across all economic sectors; coordinate SME programmes implemented by related Ministries and agencies; encourage partnership with the private sector; and ensure effective implementation of the overall SME development programmes in the country. Initiatives under the NSDC included enhancing access to financing; financial restructuring; advisory services, information, training and marketing coordination; and a comprehensive SME database to monitor the progress of SMEs across all economic sectors.

In 2007, the NSDC decided to appoint a single dedicated agency to formulate the overall policies and strategies for SMEs and to coordinate programmes across all related Ministries and agencies. SMIDEC was tasked to assume that role and it was officially rebranded to SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia) on 2 October 2009. Meanwhile, with greater emphasis now placed on entrepreneurship development, the NSDC was rebranded to the National Entrepreneur and SME Development Council (NESDC) on 8 April 2019. 

SME Corp. Malaysia was gazetted as an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) in November 2018; now rebranded to the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD). Today, SME Corp. Malaysia is poised to realise its vision of being the nation’s premier organisation for the development of progressive SMEs to enhance wealth creation and social well-being of the nation. In fulfilling its mission of promoting the development of innovative, resilient and globally-competitive SMEs through effective coordination and provision of business support, SME Corp. Malaysia endeavours to empower the critical mass of SMEs with efficient processes, robust business models, access to financial resources, smart partnerships, market-entry strategies and sustainable growth solutions, through various platforms and programmes for SME and entrepreneur development.

SME Corp. Malaysia functions as the central point of reference for information and advisory services for SMEs nationwide. SME Corp. Malaysia provides business advisory services and information to SMEs and entrepreneurs through SME Hub which is located at the Head Office in Kuala Lumpur, and 12 State Offices throughout the country. 

On top of that, SME Corp. Malaysia also implements various programmes and initiatives under its own auspices, including its annual flagship programmes; such as the SME Annual Showcase (SMIDEX), Enterprise 50 (E50) Award, and Entrepreneurship and  SME Week.

As the central coordinating agency (CCA) for the overall SME development in Malaysia, SME Corp. Malaysia coordinates, streamlines, monitors and evaluates the progress and effectiveness of SME development programmes implemented by 13 Ministries, 5 Sole Agencies, 45 Agencies and 10 State Governments. The information collected from the relevant Ministries and agencies is reported annually under the SME Integrated Plan of Action (SMEIPA).

1. What are SME Corp. Malaysia’s roles and functions?

SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia) is the central coordinating agency (CCA) under the Ministry of Entrepreneur & Cooperatives Development (MECD) that coordinates the implementation of development programmes for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across all related Ministries and agencies. It acts as the central point of reference for research and data dissemination on SMEs and entrepreneurs, as well as provides business advisory services for SMEs and entrepreneurs throughout the country.

Roles and Functions

1. One-stop collection and reference center for MSME information and advisory services
2. Coordination of MSME development programmes
3. MSME Economic assessment
4. MSME accreditation
5. Business development and support programmes
6. Access to domestic and international markets

2. What is the definition of SMEs?

Please refer here for more details.

3. What are the activities defined under manufacturing-related services?
Manufacturing-related services:

• Engineering support services such as calibration, electroplating, machining, heat treatment, metal casting, metal forging
• Specialised services such as warehousing, bulk breaking, international procurement centre, haulage
• Maintenance and repair of factory machinery and equipment
• Software development
• Automation of production line
• Designing houses
• Packaging services

4. Apart from grants, what are other financing facilities offered by the Government?
Loans are also offered by the following institutions:

• Bank Pertanian Malaysia
• SME Bank
• Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd.
• Bank Simpanan Nasional
  
  

5. Which Ministries and agencies are also involved in the development of SMEs?

List of Ministries:

• Ministry of Entrepreneur & Cooperatives Development (MECD)
• Economic Planning Unit (EPU)
• Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI)
• Ministry of Communications and Digtal
• Ministry of Finance (MOF)
• Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
• Ministry of Local Governance Development (KPKT)
• Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR)
• Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
• Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED)
• Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (MPIC)
• Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB)
• Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia (MOSTI)
• Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC)
• Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM)
• Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS)
• Ministry of Industrial Development & Entrepreneurship (MIDE)

List of Agencies:

• Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM)
• Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)
• Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC)
• Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA)
• Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB)
• Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (TERAJU)
• Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad (Bank Rakyat)
• Imstitut Keusahawanan Negara (INSKEN)
• Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS)
• Professional Training & Education for Growing Entrepreneurs (PROTÉGÉ)
• Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank)
• SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia)
• Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM)
• TEKUN Nasional (TEKUN)
• UDA Holdings Berhad
• Johor Corporation (JCorp.)
• Perbadanan Kemajuan Iktisad Negeri Kelantan (PKINK)
• Bank Pertanian Malaysia Berhad (Agrobank)
• Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak
• Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA)
• Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM)
• Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang (LPP)
• Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
• Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (Bioeconomy Corp.)
• Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
• MYNIC Berhad
• Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Berhad (SJPP)
• Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK)
• Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB)
• Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC)
• Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii)
• Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)
• Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
• Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF)
• Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
• SIRIM Berhad (SIRIM)
• Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)
• Malaysian Cocoa Board
• Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)
• Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB)
• Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM)
• Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB)
• National Kenaf and Tobacco Board
• Felcra Berhad
• Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS)
• Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli Malaysia (JAKOA)
• Lembaga Kemajuan Kelantan Selatan (KESEDAR)
• Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (KETENGAH)
• Lembaga Kemajuan Johor Tenggara (KEJORA)
• Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah
• Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Pulau Pinang (PERDA)
• Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)
• Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA)
• Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle)
• Kumpulan Modal Perdana Sdn. Bhd.
• Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV)
• Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC)
• NanoMalaysia Berhad
• Technology Park Malaysia (TPM)
• Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (MHDC)
• Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM)
• Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita (JPW)
• Jabatan Pembangunan Perindustrian dan Penyelidikan (JPPP)
• Jabatan Hal Ehwal Wanita Sabah
• Perbadanan Pembangunan Ekonomi Sabah (SEDCO)
• Sabah State Government (SABAH STATE)