SME
10 October 2025
SAMENTA Welcomes ‘Positive and Pragmatic’ Budget 2026, Urges Focus on Execution
The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA) has welcomed the newly tabled Budget 2026, describing it as “positive and pragmatic,” while calling for consistent implementation to ensure the measures benefit SMEs across the country.
“What is now crucial is for consistent follow-through and execution to ensure that announced initiatives reach SMEs on the ground,” its national president Datuk William Ng said in a statement.
He noted that many of the association’s key recommendations were reflected in the budget, particularly in areas such as access to financing, innovation support and regional trade integration.
Among the highlights, the government announced an expansion of credit guarantees under Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan (SJPP) to RM30 billion, up from RM20 billion, as well as a total commitment of RM50 billion in SME financing support.
“This directly addresses one of the top concerns among SMEs, which is limited access to affordable credit,” Ng pointed out.
SAMENTA also welcomed the government’s continued emphasis on digitalisation, AI adoption and automation, saying the allocations through SME Bank, MARA, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) demonstrate a recognition that entrepreneurship is key to inclusive growth.
“However, we must ensure that these initiatives reach micro and small businesses outside the Klang Valley, including in the East Coast, Sabah, and Sarawak,” Ng stressed.
On the trade front, the national president described the budget’s export support measures as timely. These include a RM5 billion SJPP export guarantee, RM60 million in MATRADE market grants, and the expansion of the Malaysia Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF) to ASEAN.
“Despite being our nearest neighbours, intra-ASEAN trade remains at a low 21%. We are hopeful that these initiatives under Budget 2026 will drive greater trade among member states as a hedge against global geoeconomics risks,” Ng stated.
He concluded by calling Budget 2026 a “budget of direction and delivery,” saying that if effectively implemented, it could help SMEs transition “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 ended.
(Web Source: https://sme.asia/samenta-welcomes-positive-and-pragmatic-budget-2026-urges-focus-on-execution/)