KUALA LUMPUR, 17 OCTOBER 2026 - NIMS Adeliciousz takes the top prize, while 160 nominations mark a record high for the awards programme. The event also recognised outstanding women entrepreneurs, exporters and businesses with strong ESG practices.

SME Corp. Malaysia has recognised 50 of the country’s top-performing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the Enterprise 50 (E50) Awards 2026, celebrating businesses that have demonstrated strong performance and entrepreneurial excellence.

Organised by SME Corp. Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), the awards ceremony was held on 16 October 2026 and officiated by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.

Established in 1997 under the theme ‘Celebrating the Spirit of Malaysian Entrepreneurship’, the E50 Awards have become a recognised platform for highlighting outstanding Malaysian SMEs. To date, SME Corp. Malaysia has produced 843 E50 award recipients, of whom 67 have gone on to be listed on the capital market.

To qualify, companies must meet the definition of a micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME), achieve a minimum three-star rating under the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (SCORE) programme, remain unlisted on Bursa Malaysia and provide their three most recent years of audited financial statements. Subsidiaries are ineligible if their parent companies participate in the awards.

Record 160 Nominations Received in 2026

This year’s programme received 160 nominations, the highest number in the awards’ history.

SME Corp. Malaysia Chief Executive Officer and E50 Programme Organising Chairman Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy said the programme had also welcomed new strategic partners, further strengthening the awards’ standing.

He thanked Baker Tilly Malaysia, which served as the awards’ auditor, and Berjaya Sompo Insurance Berhad, the main sponsor, alongside supporting partners Maybank, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC), P2P Nusa Kapital Sdn. Bhd., Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF), microLEAP PLT, Bursa Malaysia Berhad, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), Unifi Business, Bernama and Media Prima Berhad.

NIMS Adeliciousz Takes Top Prize

NIMS Adeliciousz Sdn. Bhd. emerged as the overall winner of the E50 Awards 2026, followed by Syarikat Minyak Afiat Sdn. Bhd. in second place and Skinlab Biochem Resources (M) Sdn. Bhd. in third.

Other companies among the top 10 were Accordia Global Sdn. Bhd., Fire Fighter Industry Sdn. Bhd., Ukiran Maksima Sdn. Bhd., Venus Biotech Sdn. Bhd., JL Food Industries Sdn. Bhd., Dodo Ventures Sdn. Bhd. and SENZ Marketing (M) Sdn. Bhd.

Three companies also received special awards recognising achievements in specific areas. Fire Fighter Industry Sdn. Bhd. won the E50 Best Women Entrepreneur Award, Billion Prima Sdn. Bhd. received the E50 Best Export Entrepreneur Award, and Duriane Professionals Sdn. Bhd. was recognised with the E50 Best ESG Practices Award.

Budget 2027 to Strengthen Support for MSMEs

In his address, Steven Sim said the E50 Awards had been identified as one of the programmes under KUSKOP’s Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia (HPM) initiative, which he introduced to strengthen Malaysia’s business ecosystem.

He added that the Government was stepping up efforts to help Malaysian businesses grow, particularly through Budget 2027, which was announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The allocation for MSMEs has increased to RM57 billion, strengthening support through expanded financing, lower operating costs and wider market access. The Government has also designated 2027 as the Malaysia Year of MSMEs.

These measures aim to help local businesses improve their competitiveness, expand their operations and explore new markets.

E50 Expands Beyond Awards with Export Conference and Business Matching

The E50 programme introduced additional activities this year to provide greater value to participating companies beyond recognition at the awards ceremony.

The E50 Export Conference was held on 15 October, followed by E50 and PRESTIGE business-matching sessions on the afternoon of 16 October.

The activities were designed to give award nominees and participating businesses more opportunities to explore export markets, establish business connections and access support for their growth.

The awards dinner was attended by senior government and industry representatives, including KUSKOP Secretary-General Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee bin Daud, SME Corp. Malaysia Chairman Dato’ Teng Chang Khim, Pahang state executive council member Dato’ Amizar bin Abu Adam, Uzbekistan Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Karomidin Gadoev and Berjaya Sompo Insurance Chief Executive Officer Soo Wai Har.

Through the E50 Awards and its expanded business activities, SME Corp. Malaysia continues to recognise high-performing local enterprises while providing opportunities for SMEs to strengthen their businesses and pursue further growth.