Since 2012, SME Corp. Malaysia has organised  the National SME Week. Despite the fact that the world is currently dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic this year, SME Corp. Malaysia is committed to hosting the National SME Week 2021 which will be held from June 26 to July 4, 2021. This is also intended to commemorate the International MSME Day which is celebrated on June 27 every year as gazetted under the United Nations.

With the theme “Small Businesses, Big Ideas”, the aims of the National SME Week are to acknowledge SMEs’ contribution as the backbone of the national economy, to raise awareness and promote local SME products and services, to foster entrepreneurial culture, as well as to act as a platform for new information to be disseminated to the SMEs. During SME Week, various events are organised, including sales exhibition, business matching sessions, seminars, and many more. Apart from creating new business linkages and investment opportunities, the National SME Week will also allow SMEs to greater access and facilitation to financing.

As per previous years, the National SME Week was coordinated by SME Corp. Malaysia in collaboration with various Ministries, Agencies, and various stakeholders from the private sector to provide vital support to entrepreneurs and SMEs throughout the country in starting and continuing their business.

The difference for this year’s implementation is that 100% of the National SME Week’s organisation of the programme and activities will be conducted virtually. This year's event will highlight on new virtual platform called MyAssist MSME which is an initiative that is part of the National Economic Regeneration Plan (PENJANA) and is designed exclusively for SMEs. The platform is very relevant and imperative in these current circumstances to help SMEs do business within the "New Normal."

SMEs across the country, for example, can use the MeetMe module to receive online advisory services; and use the MatchME platform to connect with large companies such as multinational corporations (MNCs), government-linked corporations (GLCs), hypermarkets, and other leading companies from both within and outside the country; participate in online exhibition and sales activities through e-exhibition modules; as well as participate in seminar sessions virtually (webinars). International organisations and SMEs can now source Malaysian products and services on MatchME platform for their business needs anytime, anywhere.

To ensure the inclusion of SMEs participation from across the country, the sales expo that will be organised in conjunction with the National SME Week 2021, will offer exhibition space and showcase booths from each state in Malaysia. These booths can be virtually visited by the public, despite the Movement Control Order (MCO) which prohibits interstate travel and social activities such as mass gatherings. By this “new norm”, SME Week is envisaged to spur the economic activity and help the SMEs, especialy the microenterprises, in selling their products during this challenging times.

Prepared by:

SME Corp. Malaysia

10 June 2021