SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 is lively with various interesting events
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, officiated SME Venture@ASEAN 2025, a major event held in conjunction with the ASEAN Chairmanship of Malaysia 2025 yesterday at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.
The three-day event, which took place from October 16 to 18 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, was organised by SME Corp. Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP).
With the theme ‘Bringing ASEAN Closer to You’, this programme aims to highlight the export capabilities of Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) while promoting intra-ASEAN trade and regional cooperation.
Among the main attractions is the GoASEAN BizMatch programme, which connects SMEs with leading companies and trading partners. This business matching session is expected to generate potential sales value of up to RM300 million.
In his welcoming speech, the Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said that SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 goes beyond the concept of a conventional trade fair.
“It also features a forum on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), fund presentation sessions, as well as a series of short discussions on export assistance and sharing of views that bring together a dynamic ecosystem of trade facilitation and business networking to create strong synergies for regional growth,” he said.
“In addition, the 2025 ASEAN SME Forum will also be organized under the concept ‘by SMEs, for SMEs’,” he added.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia and Chairman of the event’s organizers, Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy, SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 is a platform that celebrates innovation and cross-border potential.
“This event not only showcases the best of Malaysia and ASEAN, but also serves as a testament to the incredible growth potential and opportunities across various sectors and borders,” he said.
With the participation of over 370 local and international exhibitors representing high-impact industries and the consumer sector, the event will feature 300 business matching sessions and eight multi-theme forum programs. It is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors over the three days.
Recognizing its scale and importance, ASEAN Records has officially recognized SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 as the Largest ASEAN SME Trade Event of 2025.
Apart from business, the event also provides an opportunity for the public to interact through lifestyle and entertainment programmes. Visitors can watch a Celebrity Entrepreneur Talk Session hosted by Datuk Aznil Haji Nawawi, with a line-up of celebrities including Fouziah Gous, Pekin Ibrahim, Zahnita Wilson and Kartika Wati, as well as a mini concert featuring Hael Husaini, Nadeera and Dato’ Nash.
The event also received support from a network of strategic partners including MATRADE, Tourism Malaysia, Media Prima Omnia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly Airlines, Pos Malaysia, Bubbles O2, and TikTok Shop. The main sponsors were Perodua and Toshiba Tec.
Also present during the opening ceremony were the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development; Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, Secretary-General of the Treasury; Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary-General of KUSKOP; Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Chairman of SME Corp. Malaysia; Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Bernard Giluk Dompok, and Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia, Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy.
-Agency
