PUTRAJAYA – Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has welcomed Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) RM5 billion SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SME SRF), describing it as a timely boost for businesses navigating ongoing global uncertainties.
He said the facility would provide much-needed support to micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) affected by supply chain disruptions stemming from the prolonged West Asia conflict.
The matter was among key issues discussed during his meeting with BNM Governor, Dato Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour earlier today, where both sides explored ways to further strengthen the financing and scaling ecosystem for SMEs.
“We need to expand access to financing in a more inclusive way, especially for new entrepreneurs and first-time borrowers, so that no one is left behind in a challenging economic environment,” he said in a statement.
The discussion also touched on the potential of blended financing approaches, combining the strengths of the financial sector and capital markets to better support SME growth.
Steven Sim stressed that addressing current economic challenges requires a coordinated, whole-of-ecosystem approach involving government agencies, financial institutions and industry players.
“Supporting SMEs cannot be done in silos. It requires an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to ensure businesses not only remain resilient but are also positioned to grow,” he said.
He reaffirmed KUSKOP’s commitment to helping local enterprises weather external pressures while unlocking opportunities to enhance productivity and scale up.
As of March 2026, total financing to SMEs by banking institutions and development financial institutions stood at RM443.8 billion, accounting for nearly 51 per cent of total business loans.
He said the figures reflect a strong foundation that can be further strengthened through continued collaboration and targeted support. -MalayaDailyToday
