The SME Bank XCESS 2025 platform successfully linked over 500 Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with regional buyers and local corporate anchors, opening up significant export opportunities.

SME Bank’s annual business-matching event, XCESS 2025, has generated an estimated RM45 million in potential sales for local businesses. The event connected 500 Malaysian SMEs with buyers and partners, reinforcing its role as a key platform for expanding trade within the ASEAN region.

This year’s event was themed ‘Entrepreneur Gateway to the ASEAN Market’, aligning with Malaysia’s role as the ASEAN Chair for 2025.

Supporting Malaysia’s Economic Backbone

Speaking at the event, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD), YB Datuk Ewon Benedick, highlighted the crucial role of SMEs. Projections show that in 2025, SMEs will contribute 41% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 15% to total exports, while employing nearly half of the nation’s workforce. By 2030, their contribution to the GDP is expected to exceed RM1 trillion.

“Platforms such as XCESS 2025 are vital in integrating Malaysian SMEs into the ASEAN economy and beyond through strategic partnerships, expanding market access, and strengthening regional competitiveness,” said YB Datuk Ewon Benedick. He added that Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) like SME Bank provide the necessary financing, knowledge, and networks to support this growth.

How XCESS 2025 Creates Opportunities

The event focused on creating tangible connections through structured business meetings, networking sessions, and access to industry players.

SME Bank Relief President and Chief Executive Officer, Samad Majid Zain, explained that the RM45 million in potential sales was generated from over 180 business meetings between 500 local SMEs and 20 ASEAN buyers. “The 2025 edition offers access to financing, structured capacity-building, and dynamic networking sessions designed to foster deeper engagement and sustainable growth,” said Samad Majid Zain.

In partnership with MATRADE and supported by MECD, the event brought together anchor companies, government-linked companies, multinational corporations, and alternative financiers. Participants had access to business matching, trade exhibitions, advisory clinics, and showcases to help them secure new opportunities both in Malaysia and internationally.

New Partnerships To Drive Export Growth

Several key collaborations were announced at XCESS 2025, aimed at providing SMEs with better financing and risk protection for their export activities.

A tripartite collaboration was formalised between SME Bank, Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank), and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB). This partnership offers a Trade Credit Takaful Facility, which combines financing from SME Bank with trade credit protection from EXIM Bank.

The partnership has already yielded results, with the first transaction secured for SME Bank’s customer, Amat Sinar Sdn. Bhd. The deal facilitates an export value of RM11.1 million to China and the United States.

The event also saw the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Medic Pets International Sdn Bhd, a participant in SME Bank’s Business Exports Programme (BEP), and Daukey Kokpar Club of Kazakhstan. This agreement will help the Malaysian company register its products in Kazakhstan and expand its market presence.

A Track Record Of Empowering SMEs

SME Bank’s efforts extend beyond this single event, with several ongoing programmes designed to build export capabilities among Malaysian businesses.

• The Business Exports Programme (BEP): Since 2020, this programme has assisted 98 SMEs, helping them generate RM419 million in export sales across markets in Southeast Asia, the UAE, the UK, and the US.
• The Export Acceleration Mission (EAM): Since 2022, this initiative has supported 152 companies and secured approximately RM614 million in potential export sales.
• XCESS Platform: Since its launch in 2016, the XCESS platform has facilitated over 1,800 business meetings and engaged nearly 150,000 SME participants.

These initiatives are part of SME Bank’s broader mandate to support SMEs throughout their entire business lifecycle. For more information on SME Bank and its funding and programmes, you can visit their official website at www.smebank.com.my or contact their customer service centre at 03-2603 7700.

• TAGS:
• SME Bank
• Xcess 2025