Business

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) — Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has placed “Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia” as the central thrust of his first 100 days leading the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP), highlighting a series of key achievements aimed at strengthening the nation’s business landscape. Sim said the ministry’s early progress includes expanding access to financing, empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and enhancing the national entrepreneurial ecosystem. “A hundred days in KUSKOP together with Malaysian entrepreneurs. Thank you KUSKOP staff, you delivered. I have only a single focus: Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia. We want to ‘Power Up’ Malaysian businesses, regardless of race and religion — Power Up, Jalan Teruih!” he said in a Facebook post today. Among the highlights, financing for Bumiputera entrepreneurs under Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga Nasional (TEKUN Nasional) was increased from RM300 million to RM500 million. A new RM100 million financing scheme was also introduced through SME Bank and Bank Rakyat to support Chinese MSMEs. Additionally, funding for Indian entrepreneurs under the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme was raised from RM30 million to RM50 million. The minister also rolled out targeted financing initiatives, including the RM50 million Ramadan dan Perniagaan Rakyat Financing Scheme (BARAKAT) for Bumiputera MSMEs, the RM30 million Chinese-owned Micro Entrepreneur Special Financing Programme (BERKAT) for Chinese New Year, and the RM3 billion Women Entrepreneur Economy Fund (DEWI), which is expected to benefit 300,000 women entrepreneurs nationwide. On the international front, a business agreement worth RM2 billion was secured during the Makkah Halal Forum 2026, while participation in Japan Foodex generated RM90 million in sales. Efforts to strengthen the cooperative sector were also intensified, with RM254 million allocated — the highest in history — alongside the introduction of the Business School Malaysian Skill Certificate (SKM) to transform school cooperatives into business learning platforms for students. — MinutesMY / Igneseous Noris — PHOTO: FB Steven sim

‘Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia’ Main Focus Of First 100 Days In KUSKOP – Steven Sim

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) — Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has placed “Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia” as the central thrust of his first 100 days leading the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP), highlighting a series of key achievements aimed at strengthening the nation’s business landscape.

Sim said the ministry’s early progress includes expanding access to financing, empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and enhancing the national entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“A hundred days in KUSKOP together with Malaysian entrepreneurs. Thank you KUSKOP staff, you delivered. I have only a single focus: Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia. We want to ‘Power Up’ Malaysian businesses, regardless of race and religion — Power Up, Jalan Teruih!” he said in a Facebook post today.

Among the highlights, financing for Bumiputera entrepreneurs under Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga Nasional (TEKUN Nasional) was increased from RM300 million to RM500 million. A new RM100 million financing scheme was also introduced through SME Bank and Bank Rakyat to support Chinese MSMEs.

Additionally, funding for Indian entrepreneurs under the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme was raised from RM30 million to RM50 million.

The minister also rolled out targeted financing initiatives, including the RM50 million Ramadan dan Perniagaan Rakyat Financing Scheme (BARAKAT) for Bumiputera MSMEs, the RM30 million Chinese-owned Micro Entrepreneur Special Financing Programme (BERKAT) for Chinese New Year, and the RM3 billion Women Entrepreneur Economy Fund (DEWI), which is expected to benefit 300,000 women entrepreneurs nationwide.

On the international front, a business agreement worth RM2 billion was secured during the Makkah Halal Forum 2026, while participation in Japan Foodex generated RM90 million in sales.

Efforts to strengthen the cooperative sector were also intensified, with RM254 million allocated — the highest in history — alongside the introduction of the Business School Malaysian Skill Certificate (SKM) to transform school cooperatives into business learning platforms for students.

— MinutesMY / Igneseous Noris
— PHOTO: FB Steven sim

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