KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA Oct 21, 2025 – Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday reaffirmed the Malaysian government’s unwavering commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) via targeted initiatives, including enhanced guarantees, streamlined financing, and robust support for innovation and digital adoption, as he addressed the GOTRADE 2025 Conference.
In his keynote speech, Anwar emphasized that these measures are crucial for positioning Malaysia as a reliable regional investment hub while ensuring local firms and startups keep pace with the global economic tide. “This step is important to ensure that Malaysia achieves its aspiration to remain a trusted investment hub in the region, while ensuring that local companies and startups do not lag behind in the global economic development stream,” he stated.
The premier called for greater international competitiveness among Malaysian SMEs, underscoring that future success hinges on embracing technology, sustainability, and inclusivity. “We want to see local SMEs become more competitive in the international market, and it must be remembered that the future direction must be based on technology, sustainability, and inclusivity to continue to succeed,” Anwar said.
Warning against complacency, Anwar highlighted the urgency of digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation as non-negotiable imperatives for national progress. “Let us not be negligent because digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation are no longer a luxury, but have become primary necessities that will determine the country’s competitiveness and progress in the future,” he urged.
The GOTRADE 2025 event, a key platform for trade and economic dialogue in Southeast Asia, comes amid Malaysia’s broader push to integrate SMEs into high-growth sectors. Government data shows SMEs contribute over 38% to the nation’s GDP, but experts note that only a fraction currently leverage AI tools effectively. Anwar’s remarks signal intensified policy focus on bridging this gap, potentially through expanded grants and tech partnerships in the upcoming budget cycle.
