Malaysia Launches ASEAN SME Trade Event to Drive Regional Growth

16 October 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, today inaugurated SME Venture@ASEAN 2025, held in conjunction with Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN this year. Organised by SME Corp. Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives (MEDAC), the event runs from 16 to 18 October 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.

Under the theme “Bringing ASEAN Closer to You,” this three-day event highlights the export capabilities of Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and promotes intra-ASEAN trade by bringing together key stakeholders. A central feature is the ‘GoASEAN BizMatch’ business matching session, connecting SMEs with major corporations and trading partners, with the potential to generate sales of up to RM300 million.

In his welcoming speech, Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives (MEDC), described SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 as more than just an event. It encompasses a forum on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), funding presentation sessions, export assistance talks, and a platform for sharing insights that strengthen trade ecosystems and business networks. The ASEAN SME Forum 2025 will also be organised under the theme 'by SMEs, for SMEs’.

Rizal Dato’ Nainy, CEO of SME Corp. Malaysia and Chair of the SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 Organising Committee, highlighted that the event showcases Malaysia and ASEAN’s top products and services, as well as the vast growth opportunities across sectors and borders. With 370 local and international exhibitors in high-impact sectors, 300 business matching sessions, and a variety of forums and activities, it is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors. ASEAN Records has recognised SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 as the Largest ASEAN SME Trade Event of 2025.

Beyond trade, the event offers an engaging programme for visitors, including Celebrity Entrepreneur Talks hosted by Datuk Aznil Haji Nawawi with guests such as Fouziah Gous, Pekin Ibrahim, Zahnita Wilson, and Kartika Wati. A mini concert featuring popular artistes like Hael Husaini, Nadeera, and Dato’ Nash adds to the festivities.

Strategic partners supporting the event include MATRADE, Tourism Malaysia, Media Prima Omnia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, Pos Malaysia, TikTok Shop, Bubbles O2, as well as sponsors PERODUA and Toshiba Tec.

Attending the opening ceremony were Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives; Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance; Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Secretary General of MEDAC; Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Bernard Giluk Dompok, Chairman of SME Corp. Malaysia; and Rizal Dato’ Nainy, CEO of SME Corp. Malaysia.