BE 2026: Penang To Cover Nearly 100,000 Business Establishments, Strengthen Economic Data
BUTTERWORTH, April 27 (Bernama) -- The 2026 Economic Census (BE 2026) in Penang will cover nearly 100,000 business establishments across five main economic sectors, namely services, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and mining and quarrying, with census operations conducted from January to October 2026.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said so far, 30 per cent of business establishments in Penang have been enumerated under Phase 1 of the BE 2026 engagement session.
He noted that the BE 2026 operation will be carried out in three main phases: Phase 1 from January to February 2026 involving micro and informal organisations, Phase 2 from March to August 2026 covering small and medium organisations, and Phase 3 from June to October 2026 encompassing large organisations.
"The data obtained will serve as important input in planning the state's economic development in a more sustainable and inclusive manner," he said after attending the BE 2026 engagement session with Penang business associations and professional bodies at the PICCA@ Butterworth Arena Convention Centre here today.
The event was officiated by Penang State Committee chairman for Trade and Community Unity, Goh Choon Aik.
Mohd Uzir said through the engagement session, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Penang was able to secure strategic cooperation from government agencies, the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), business associations, and professional bodies.
He said it also served as a platform to gather company information and supporting data, raise awareness of the importance of the census, identify implementation challenges early and to strengthen strategic networks with stakeholders.
He explained that the implementation of BE 2026 is important in providing comprehensive and up-to-date national economic data, especially in tracing structural economic changes as outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan, including strengthening the orange economy ecosystem and empowering the blue economy.
Based on 2024 gross domestic product (GDP) performance, Mohd Uzir said Penang recorded growth of 4.8 per cent with a value of RM121.5 billion, compared with RM116.0 billion in 2023.
"Penang’s position as the fifth highest contributor to national GDP with a 7.4 per cent share demonstrates that the state has a productive, resilient, and high value-added economic structure.
“Penang’s achievement as the highest contributor to Malaysia’s goods exports in 2024 with a value of RM494.9 billion demonstrates a strong link between the international trade sector and the state’s economic growth,” he said.
He added that the state’s main export activity is integrated circuits, valued at RM214.6 billion, which recorded positive growth of eight per cent.
DOSM is currently conducting BE2026 with the theme “The Pulse of the People's Economy” from Jan 5 to Oct 31 this year, aiming to collect comprehensive and structured data from all registered and unregistered business entities in Malaysia to assess the performance, structure and characteristics of the national economy comprehensively and based on evidence.
-- BERNAMA
