KUALA LUMPUR: The prestigious Enterprise 50 (E50) Awards have highlighted the exceptional achievements of Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SME), showcasing their competitiveness and reliability in both local and global markets.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, speaking at the E50 awards ceremony tonight, said the programme has had a significant impact on Malaysia's SME landscape.
He said since the programme's inception in 1997, a total of 763 companies have been recognised, with 67 of them successfully listed on capital markets and expanding their presence both locally and abroad.
"The E50 awards have created a benchmark for quality among local SMEs, showcasing their ability to compete at a global level.
"This recognition enables them to build strong partnerships, not only with major domestic companies but also with foreign investors," he said in his speech.
Also present was Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, SME Corp chairman Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and SME Corp chief executive officer Rizal Nainy.
This year's E50 was themed 'Celebrating the Spirit of Malaysian Entrepreneurship', honouring companies ranging from engineering consultants, dental specialist, and even 'nasi lemak' sellers.
Media Prima Omnia received a plaque of appreciation as the event's strategic partner.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the SME ecosystem, the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry and SME Corp have partnered with several organisations to provide targeted support for E50 recipients.
Among the initiatives were an e-Invoicing session organised by Deloitte Malaysia, a credit assessment programme in collaboration with Bhd, and leadership transformation sessions with renowned business leaders.
"These initiatives provide a platform for E50 alumni to continuously develop their capabilities and expand their business networks," said Ewon.
Meanwhile, Ewon added that several strategic focus areas would be prioritised to further develop SMEs, especially those in the E50 alumni network.
These include enhancing SME participation in domestic and global supply chains, promoting the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, and increasing the listing of SMEs on capital markets.