Kuala Lumpur, 10 December 2024 – Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank
Malaysia Berhad (“SME Bank”) is pleased to announce that its Business Export
Programme (“BEP”) has onboarded 83 companies, which has facilitated over RM192
million in total export sales and successfully entered key global markets such as
Southeast Asia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of
America and beyond.
Launched in 2020, the BEP is a structured intervention programme curated by the
Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (“MECD”) with SME Bank as the
implementing agency in collaboration with Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (“MATRADE). The BEP is aimed at enabling high-performing SMEs to
penetrate or expand their presence in the export markets. Participating SMEs under the
programme are involved in a stringent process that includes screening, training, and
evaluation of their performance based on an assessment criterion that aligns with the
programme’s objectives.
YB Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of the MECD said, “The Ministry recognises the
importance of SMEs as the backbone of the country as they make up a significant portion
of the businesses today, contributing RM613.1 billion or 39.1% to Malaysia’s Gross
Domestic Product (“GDP”) in 2023. As such, we always welcome strategic initiatives that
continue to advance the presence of our SMEs not just in the domestic market but also
at the international level as this is in line with the National Entrepreneurship Policy (“DKN”)
2030.”
“The BEP supports one of the DKN 2030’s strategic thrusts –Internationalisation of Local
Entrepreneurs and thus, I am pleased to see government agencies such as SME Bank
further reaffirming their development mandate by being at the forefront of fostering the
SME ecosystem,” YB Datuk Ewon Benedick added.
Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group President/Chief Executive Officer
of SME Bank said, “The BEP is a comprehensive programme that identifies and equips
high-potential SMEs with the capabilities to thrive in international markets, which is
structured across four phases since its inception in 2020. Today marks a significant
milestone for the Bank as we witness 43 companies from the initial two phases completing
the BEP programme, which was commemorated in a graduation ceremony today, whilst
the remaining 40 companies are scheduled to complete the programme by 2026.
“Our support for local SMEs to expand their global footprint extends beyond the BEP
programme. Our SMEs can also tap into the Bank’s wide array of propositions that are
designed to provide SMEs with access to financing that can help them sustain and grow
their business further. In particular, some of the programmes mandated to SME Bank
from the National 2025 Budget announcement such as the RM200 million Jaguh
Serantau Programme, the RM100 million HalalBiz Financing Programme, the RM400
million SME Technology Transformation Fund (“STTF”) as well as the RM100 million
Dana Kelestarian Alam (“DKA”). This indeed is a testament to our continuous dedication
towards providing value throughout the SME lifecycle,” Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee
Ibrahim elaborated.
The graduation ceremony of the BEP programme was officiated by YB Datuk Ewon
Benedick, Minister of the MECD. Also, in attendance were YBhg. Dato’ Muslim Hussain,
Chairman of SME Bank and YBhg. Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group
President/Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank, along with the senior management team
of SME Bank.
