
At the SIDC Business Foresight Forum 2024, Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia, delivered a compelling opening address emphasising the crucial role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia’s economic landscape. The event, held on 22 August 2024, was centred around the theme “Investing in MSMEs for Impact”.
Faiz Azmi began his address by acknowledging the significant support from the Deputy Minister of Finance, Lim Hui Ying, and the ongoing commitment from the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC). He underscored the importance of MSMEs, which represent 96.9% of Malaysia’s businesses and contribute significantly to national employment and GDP.
He highlighted the resilience of MSMEs, noting their vulnerability to economic challenges such as pandemics and global trade disruptions. This year’s theme reflects the critical link between investment strategies and their broader societal impacts, emphasising the need for targeted support and strategic investments in these enterprises.
In his address, Faiz Azmi outlined several key initiatives by the Securities Commission to support MSMEs. The Capital Market Masterplan 3 (CMP3) aims to create an environment conducive to MSME growth, with a new five-year roadmap designed to expand MSME capital market access sevenfold—from RM6.3 billion in 2023 to RM40 billion by 2028. This initiative includes enhancing financing options, developing customised capital market products, and supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems through incubators and accelerators.
The Chairman also mentioned the Islamic fintech accelerator programme (FIKRA), which supports the halal economy and Islamic capital market. Additionally, the Malaysia Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF), bolstered by an extra RM100 million from the Budget 2024, has been pivotal in facilitating equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer financing for MSMEs. Since 2015, these platforms have assisted over 18,000 MSMEs in raising approximately RM8 billion.
Strengthening investor protection is also a priority. Dato’ Faiz Azmi highlighted ongoing reviews of annual general meeting practices to build trust in public listed companies. This move aims to transition from fully virtual meetings to physical or hybrid formats, enhancing shareholder confidence.
Capacity building remains a focus, with the Elevate Programme by Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM) helping businesses prepare for growth through IPOs and private equity. The programme has already enabled several companies to list on Bursa Malaysia and secure initial funding.
In response to demands for ESG transparency, the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) was launched in October 2023. It provides standardised ESG guidelines for SMEs, available in Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Mandarin, with workshops being conducted nationwide.
Faiz Azmi expressed optimism about the future of MSMEs, driven by advancements in technology such as 5G, cloud computing, and AI. He encouraged collaboration among investors, partners, and stakeholders to create a supportive environment for MSME success.
He reaffirmed the mission to foster an environment where MSMEs can thrive and drive Malaysia’s economic prosperity, urging attendees to act boldly and invest in the nation’s businesses.
The forum continues to be a platform for impactful discussions and strategic investments in Malaysia’s vibrant MSME sector.
Source: https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2024/08/22/investing-in-msmes-the-next-growth-impact/