New Straits Times
10 October 2025
Samenta hails 2026 Budget as catalyst for SME growth
Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) has lauded the 2026 Budget as positive and pragmatic, highlighting stronger support in financing, innovation and regional trade.
KUALA LUMPUR: Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) has lauded the 2026 Budget as positive and pragmatic, highlighting stronger support in financing, innovation and regional trade.
Samenta national president Datuk William Ng said consistent follow-through and effective execution are now crucial to ensure the announced initiatives reach small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the ground.
"The budget reflects many of the key priorities we've raised, particularly in access to financing, innovation support, and regional trade integration," he said in a statement today.
Ng welcomed the expansion of credit guarantees via Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Bhd (SJPP) to RM30 billion from RM20 billion, as well as the government's total commitment of RM50 billion in SME financing support.
He said this directly addresses one of the sector's top concerns — limited access to affordable credit.
Ng also commended the government's continued focus on digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and automation, which aligns with Samenta's call for stronger productivity support.
"Allocations under SME Bank, Majlis Amanah Rakyat, Bank Simpanan Nasional and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia show that the government recognises entrepreneurship as the foundation of inclusive growth.
"However, these initiatives must also reach micro and small enterprises outside the Klang Valley, including those in the East Coast, Sabah and Sarawak," he said.
He added that measures to strengthen export capacity and regional integration were timely, citing the RM5 billion SJPP export guarantee, RM60 million Malaysia External Trade Development Corp market grants and the expansion of the Malaysia Co-Investment Fund to Asean markets as significant steps forward.
"Despite being our nearest neighbours, intra-Asean trade remains low at 21 per cent. We hope these initiatives will encourage greater regional trade as a hedge against global geopolitical risks," he said.
Overall, Ng described the 2026 Budget as "a budget of direction and delivery", offering meaningful steps toward SME resilience and Asean competitiveness.
"If implemented effectively, this budget can help our SMEs move from survival to regional leadership.
"What matters now is execution, and in making sure these initiatives reach every SME, not just those who already have access," he said.
(Web Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2025/10/1291806/samenta-hails-2026-budget-catalyst-sme-growth)