KUALA LUMPUR, 17 February 2025 – SME Venture@ASEAN 2025, to be organised
by SME Corp. Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and
Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP), will take place from 16 to 18 October 2025 at
the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur. It is set
to be one of the key events for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in conjunction
with Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN this year. YB Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister
of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, officiated the soft launch ceremony
today. The event serves as a platform for our SMEs to showcase their capabilities as
well as offers business matching sessions with SMEs and anchor companies from
ASEAN, and ultimately the opportunity to seal export deals
The event themed “Bringing ASEAN Closer to You”, is expected to attract over 10,000
visitors and bring together more than 300 local and international exhibitors, mainly from
the ASEAN Member States and trade partners. During the three-day event, exhibitors
will have the opportunity to showcase their most innovative products and services,
targeting both the B2B and B2C segments. The B2B showcase aims to highlight exportready
SMEs in high impact sectors such as electrical and electronics, oil & gas,
biotechnology, medical devices, aerospace, tourism, smart farming, as well as the Halal
industries. Exhibitors will also have the opportunity to join the business matching
sessions which is set to engage 30 anchor companies from ASEAN and trade partners.
Meanwhile, the B2C segment under the ASEAN Market Fair, seeks to be a crowd puller
at the event, offering a wide variety of consumer products sourced locally and from
ASEAN countries ranging from food & beverages, apparels, health and wellness
products, cosmetics, handicrafts up to travel deals to set the momentum for Visit
Malaysia Year 2026. The event will also be buzzing with other activities designed to
support export endeavour by SMEs which include workshops on Free Trade
Agreements (FTAs), a forum on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), pocket
talks on export assistance, technology and digitalisation talks (Tech Spot), export fund
pitching and product launch
YB Datuk Ewon Benedick, during his opening remarks said, “SME Venture@ASEAN
2025 is more than just an event, it is a platform specially crafted with a plethora of
activities to provide MSMEs with maximum opportunities to venture into the global
market. To ensure the outcome of getting local SMEs to export to the ASEAN Market,
200 business matching sessions will be arranged. Aside from participation of ASEAN
SMEs during the event, the Ministry, through SME Corp. Malaysia, is committed to
bringing in anchor companies and buyers not only from the ASEAN member states, but
also from Malaysia’s MoU partner countries such as Turkiye, Japan, Saudi Arabia,
Oman, Georgia and Kazakhstan”.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia
in his welcoming remarks emphasised on internationalisation aspect, “SMEs must not
only focus on reaffirming their position in the domestic front to safeguard their prospects
in a more liberalised economic landscape, but at the same time, must be equally willing
to seek out new business opportunities abroad. They must benchmark themselves
against international competitors and be willing to embrace best practices and equip
themselves with the necessary skills and technical expertise
During the soft launch ceremony, YB Datuk Ewon Benedick also witnessed the
exchange of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between SME Corp. Malaysia and
Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) on the Export Accelerator
Programme (EAP). The EAP initiative is designed to empower MSMEs with the
knowledge and skills needed to penetrate and succeed in international markets,
particularly in Japan
Also present during the soft launch ceremony of SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 were
YBhg. Datuk Haji Zamri Bin Salleh, Deputy Secretary General (Entrepreneur
Development) of KUSKOP, Madam Noor Afifah Binti Abdul Razak, Deputy Secretary
General (Policy and Monitoring) of KUSKOP and Mr. Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy, Chief
Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia
Do not miss this amazing opportunity. Mark your calendar and join one of the most
remarkable events of the year – the SME Venture@ASEAN 2025. To register or for
further information about the event, please visit www.smecorp.gov.my.
