This year, the E50 Award was held together with the E50 Export Conference and the E50 Biz Matching Session to encourage business opportunities, strengthen trade networks and support the export growth of local MSMEs, particularly among E50 Alumni.
The E50 Export Conference served as a platform to discuss not only issues and challenges in penetrating export markets, but also as a forum to explore new export market opportunities through regional and global trade agreements that can be leveraged by E50 companies. This effort was followed by the E50 Biz Matching Session, which brought buyers from within and outside the country to expand the supply chain of E50 companies.
This year’s enhancements were in line with the Developing Market Access (D) thrust under the ABCD Strategy (A – Accelerating Productivity, B – Bureaucracy Reduction, C – Capital Accessibility, D – Developing Market Access) introduced by YB Steven Sim to drive the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs.
Since its introduction in 1997, the E50 Award has received industry recognition for more than two decades, thus becoming a symbol of credibility in the Malaysian business world. The award is organised collaboratively by SME Corp. Malaysia together with its implementing partner, Estilo Media Group Sdn. Bhd. with full support from the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP).
At the same event, YBrs. Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia, welcomed nomination submissions from SMEs. SME Corp. Malaysia invited eligible SMEs to participate in the E50 Award, namely companies that have received a 4-Star and 5-Star rating under the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (SCORE) Programme. Nominations for the E50 Award were open until 31 July 2026, with the highlight of the E50 Programme being the E50 Award Ceremony scheduled for October.
The following are the main eligibility requirements to participate in the E50 Award:
- Company Status: Meets the definition of MSMEs and is incorporated in Malaysia.
- SCORE Performance: Obtained a 4-Star or 5-Star rating under SCORE.
- Listing Status: Not listed on Bursa Malaysia.
- Financial Record: Has audited financial statements for the latest three (3) years.
- Parent Company Participation: Subsidiaries are not eligible if the parent company is also participating.
Also present were YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Bernard Giluk Dompok, Chairman of SME Corp. Malaysia and YBrs. Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia.
