CEDAR Empowers Over 3,000 Micro Entrepreneurs Through MUM Initiative

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR) - the capacity building and training arm of SME Bank - has empowered more than 3,000 micro-entrepreneurs nationwide through the “Maju Usahawan MADANI” (MUM) initiative.

CEDAR said the initiative continues to uplift underserved groups through inclusive and practical development support, strengthening the foundations of women, youth-led, and early-stage enterprises.

CEDAR chief executive officer Amirul Imran Ahmat said the MUM initiative has supported micro-entrepreneurs across 90 cohorts nationwide through on-ground and hybrid online delivery, reflecting the rising ambition of Malaysia’s homegrown entrepreneurs.  "The participation of 1,256 (42 per cent) female entrepreneurs and 757 (25 per cent) youth entrepreneurs highlights the programme’s impact on two integral segments shaping the nation’s entrepreneurial landscape," he said in a statement.

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He added that the support from the government in Budget 2026, which allocated RM2 million for MUM, reinforces CEDAR's drive to nurture even more high-potential entrepreneurs in the year ahead.

Amirul said CEDAR is enhancing its development approach by strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) financial discipline, accelerating digital and AI adoption and embedding ESG practices.

“Growing focus on rural entrepreneurs presents an opportunity to widen targeted support, making the MUM initiative essential in equipping underserved groups with practical skills in AI, business strategy, financial readiness, digital enablement and sustainability,” he added.

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To date, CEDAR has supported nearly 88,000 entrepreneurs through more than 3,500 training programmes covering soft skills, financial literacy, innovation, strategy and digital adoption.

The capacity-building efforts are complemented by SME Bank’s financing and beyond-financing programmes, including close to RM2 billion in strategic initiatives under Budget 2026. 

These initiatives support growth in tourism, export-driven sectors, technology, and Industry 4.0, the halal ecosystem, sustainability and low-carbon transition, women's entrepreneurship, franchise development, and social enterprises.

-- BERNAMA