The Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) celebrated a major milestone this year with the 30th edition of the CGC Awards. The ceremony recognised the unwavering contributions of Malaysia’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as the financial institutions that continue to support them.
Held in Kuala Lumpur, the event brought together over 280 industry leaders. Attendees included representatives from Bank Negara Malaysia, financial institutions, Islamic banks, development financiers, strategic partners, and award-winning MSMEs. Notably, Dato’ Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, officiated the ceremony. He stressed the need for SMEs to remain competitive by embracing automation, digitalisation, and sustainable practices.
Meanwhile, CGC Chairman Dato’ Mohammed Hussein underscored that business resilience is rooted in strong leadership. He pointed out that success also depends on understanding the entire business ecosystem. Moreover, he reaffirmed CGC’s commitment to promoting inclusive partnerships that span Malaysia’s diverse communities and supply chains.
“Business sustainability hinges on management’s ability to navigate these interdependencies — a competency that comes from active participation, not passive ownership,” said CGC Chairman Dato’ Mohammed Hussein.
Honouring Performance, Purpose and Progress
This year’s CGC Awards presented 28 accolades across three main categories. These awards not only honoured high-performing institutions but also those advancing financial inclusion, innovation, sustainability, and impact across the ecosystem.
To reflect Malaysia’s evolving business landscape, CGC introduced the Merdeka Awards. These awards honour companies that lead in building inclusive partnerships across racial and community lines. Additionally, CGC launched two new categories to recognise strategic partnerships and innovation excellence.
Furthermore, the CGC Developmental Programme® Award recognised MSMEs that recorded the highest increase in sales turnover after completing CGC’s 24-month Access New Markets programme. This achievement highlighted the programme’s effectiveness in helping businesses scale and thrive.
The event also honoured contractors through the Successful Contractors Awards. These were divided into two categories: G1–G2 and G3 and above, recognising firms for excellence in project delivery and overall business performance.
Categories this year included:
- Top F1 Driver
- Best Financial Partner
- Conventional Financial Institution
- Islamic Financial Institution
- imSME
- Bumiputera SMEs
- Recognition of New Strategic Partnership
- Recognition of Innovation Excellence
- Merdeka Awards
- Merdeka Digital Excellence Special Recognition
- SME Awards
- Successful Contractors (G1 & G2 category)
- Successful Contractors (G3 and above)
- CGC Developmental Programme Award
2024 CGC Award Winners
Top F1 Partner
Best Financial Partner
- CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad
Conventional Financial Insitution
- Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
- OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad
- Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad
Islamic Financial Institution
- CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad
- OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad
- Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad
imSME
- Bank Simpanan Nasional
Bumiputera SMEs
- CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad
Recognition of New Strategic Partnership
- Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad
Recognition of Innovation Excellence
- Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
- Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad
- Bank Simpanan Nasional
Merdeka Awards
- Serai Group
- Keyfield International Berhad
- VSD Automation Sdn. Bhd.
- Gading Kencana Sdn. Bhd.
- Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad
Merdeka Digital Excellence Special Recognition
- Shopee Mobile Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
SME Awards
Successful Contractors (G1 & G2 category)
- MFZ Izdihar Enterprise
- A&Z North Rich Trading
- Era Kejuruteraan
Successful Contractors (G3 and above)
- Rintiz Rezky (M) Sdn. Bhd.
- LP Group Sdn. Bhd.
- Perawah Enterprise
CGC Developmental Programme Award
- Nozoly Food Industry Sdn Bhd
- Jaqued Holdings Sdn Bhd
- TLE Trading Sdn Bhd
CGC’s Vision: An Inclusive, Empowered MSME Ecosystem
CGC President and CEO Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak reaffirmed the Corporation’s mission to strengthen financial inclusion and enterprise growth in Malaysia. He stressed that the CGC Awards serve not only to recognise excellence, but to inspire continued progress among the wider MSME and financial ecosystem.
“Malaysian MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, and CGC is proud to be entrusted with the mandate to support and empower them. As we continue to navigate through these challenging times, CGC remains firmly committed to advancing the financial inclusion agenda —ensuring that all deserving MSMEs receive the support they need to thrive,” said Datuk Zamree.
Looking ahead, CGC remains focused on broadening access to financing, digital solutions, and development programs to help MSMEs adapt, grow, and compete in a changing economy.
