KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia (“SME Bank”), a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, has successfully concluded its latest Export Acceleration Mission (“EAM”) to South Africa and Kenya, marking the Bank’s first foray into non-traditional markets. The mission brought together 11 Malaysian SMEs, generating
approximately RM125 million in potential export sales and showcasing strengths across healthcare, medical devices, food and beverages, consumer products and specialised manufacturing.
Samad Majid Zain, Relief President and Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank said, “Since 2023, more than 100 Malaysian companies have participated in the EAM,
generating RM439 million in potential export sales. This reflects steady growth,
rising from RM113 million in 2023 to
RM160 million in 2024 and
RM166 million in 2025, underscoring the rising global competitiveness of Malaysian enterprises.”
“The EAM empowers SMEs to thrive internationally in markets including the United Kingdom, the United States, the Middle East, Turkey, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines, while reinforcing partnerships in South Africa and Kenya. Led by SME Bank in collaboration with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (“MATRADE”) and supported by the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (“MECD”), the EAM serves as a conduit to accelerate entrepreneurial growth and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a hub of innovation and global trade,” Samad Majid Zain elaborated.
Held from 30 August to 6 September 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa and Nairobi, Kenya, the EAM provided Malaysian SMEs with opportunities to expand into new markets through business seminars, matching sessions, networking and market visits. The mission was led by Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Chairman of MATRADE, with the involvement of Datuk Wira Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Chief Corporate Strategy Officer of SME Bank, and the support of the Malaysia High Commissions in South Africa and Kenya.
The week-long programme also saw the signing of a landmark collaborative agreement between Malaysia’s Star Medik Group and South Africa’s ICRD Group Holding (PTY) Ltd, paving the way for greater cooperation in the medical device manufacturing sector in South Africa. The EAM also showcased the diversity of Malaysian enterprise, with participation from high-potential SMEs such as Pawa Canning Corporation, Caliphs Global, Callabio Manufacturing, Integrasi Global, Imperia Asia International, Ideal Health Care, Star Medik, Selia-Tek Holdings, BS Fitness Nutrienion, NIMS Adeliciousz, and Avecena Gloves.
SME Bank has continuously played a pivotal role in driving the global growth of Malaysian SMEs through various capacity-building initiatives. Complementing the EAM is the Business Exports Programme (“BEP”), a structured intervention programme funded by MECD in collaboration with MATRADE that is designed to accelerate SME internationalisation. Since its launch in 2020, the BEP has channelled
RM21.5 million, across five phases up to 2025,
equipping 98 high-performing SMEs with structured training, customised market entry strategies and new growth opportunities. Collectively, these companies have
generated RM419 million in export sales across Southeast Asia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In addition, SME Bank has also advanced the growth of halal-certified businesses through the Halal Entrepreneurship Development Programme, which carries
an allocation of RM14.84 million and has benefitted close to 800 SMEs. Together, the EAM, BEP and Halal Entrepreneurship Development Programme underline the Government’s strong and holistic commitment to helping Malaysian SMEs scale new frontiers and thrive in the international marketplace.
For more information on SME Bank and its capacity building programmes, visit
www.smebank.com.my or call 03-26037700.
Photos - Google DriveIssued by:
SME Bank Group Strategic Communication
SOURCE: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia (SME Bank)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Arnee Ismail
Head, Group Strategic Communication
SME Bank
Tel: +603 2603 7700
Email: communications@smebank.com.my
--BERNAMA