SME Corp To Enhance MSMEs’ Role In JS-SEZ

By Hasnah Jusid

JOHOR BAHRU, March 30 (Bernama) — SME Corp Malaysia will intensify efforts to ensure that local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a significant role in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), in line with the agenda of strengthening the segment's resilience and contribution to the national economy.

Chief executive officer Rizal Nainy said the strategic collaboration with the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) would focus on the active participation of Johor's MSMEs in the investment value chain, including as suppliers and business partners to domestic and international investors.

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“This approach aims to ensure that the economic spillovers from the development of the JS-SEZ can be enjoyed inclusively by local MSMEs, thus enhancing their ability to grow and compete at a higher level,” he told Bernama recently.

He said SME Corp as the central coordinating agency under the National Entrepreneur and SME Development Council continues to strengthen the coordination of MSME development policies and programmes across various ministries and agencies to optimise economic impact.

In the macro context, he said the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) emphasises the MSME scaling agenda as a key driver of economic growth, with a focus on increasing productivity, innovation and market expansion.

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“The government targets an increase in the percentage of medium-sized firms from 1.6 per cent to five per cent by 2030, which is expected to strengthen the country’s economic structure through the expansion of high-impact enterprises,” he said.

He said the strategy is also expected to increase the contribution of MSMEs to Gross Domestic Product from 39.5 per cent in 2024 to 50 per cent, thus strengthening the domestic economic base.

Meanwhile, he said the implementation of high-growth and inclusive programmes under the 13MP would place emphasis on enhancing the capabilities of MSMEs in addressing global challenges, including digitalisation, access to financing and integration into regional supply chains.

“Initiatives such as the JS-SEZ are important catalysts to accelerate the transformation of MSMEs towards larger-scale and highly competitive enterprises,” he said.

-- BERNAMA