SMEs Must Take Advantage Of Country’s Industrial Strength To Remain Competitive Globally -- Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must take advantage of the country’s industrial strength and growth to scale, innovate, and venture abroad to remain competitive globally, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The minister said the consistent strength of Malaysia’s industrial and manufacturing sectors has resulted in strong trade performance, with exports amounting to RM1.3 trillion from January to October 2025.

Tengku Zafrul said that since NIMP 2030 was launched, the manufacturing sector’s value added to gross domestic product increased by 13.5 per cent, or RM45.3 billion, to reach RM382 billion in 2024.

“This indicates sustained growth, contributed by higher investments and business expansions, as well as increasing exports.

“Employment increased by 8.5 per cent, or 222,000, to 2.84 million in 2024, indicating a steady rise in job opportunities within the industry, including from new realised investments,” he said in his keynote address at the Malaysia Smart Manufacturing Awards Dinner today.

Hence, Tengku Zafrul said that to take advantage of this growth, the readiness of SMEs remains a priority.

He emphasised that to stay competitive globally, SMEs must scale, innovate and venture abroad — with access to capital, technology, talent and reliable guidance.

“To remain competitive, we must evolve. For example, the National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030’s mission to establish 3,000 smart factories is not merely a target but a pledge to future-proof Malaysia’s industry through automation, digital integration, data utilisation, and workforce upskilling,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul paid homage to the award recipients and nominees, lauding their role in reshaping the country’s manufacturing landscape and proving that Malaysia can compete globally.

“By honouring excellence in Smart SME, Smart Mid-Tier, Technology Excellence, and People Categories, we celebrate both the pioneers of digital adoption and the enablers — our local technology providers.

“Above all, we recognise leadership, capability-building, and the human dimension of industrial progress,” he added.

-- BERNAMA