Maybank today introduced the myimpact SME Hub, a one-stop integrated and holistic ecosystem for Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs), offering value-based solutions established on sustainable and ethical principles. It also serves as a knowledge hub and support system to facilitate and partner SMEs in their journey to transition towards sustainable practices.
The Bank, along with leading industry partners aim to empower SMEs in Malaysia to achieve a balance between the social responsibility, environmental impact and economic prosperity in navigating through the global supply chain to succeed on the world stage. There are currently about 1.2 million SMEs.
Dato’ Khairussaleh Ramli, President & Group CEO of Maybank said, “Maybank has always been a champion of the SME segment, acknowledging them as the backbone of the nation's economy. With the launch of the myimpact SME Hub and in line with our purpose of Humanising Financial Services, we are taking our support a step further to equip them with the tools and knowledge to navigate the business landscape and invite them to make the empowering impact towards sustainability choices. By fostering a thriving and responsible SME ecosystem, Maybank remains dedicated to not just supporting businesses, but building a brighter, more viable future for all.”
The launch was officiated by Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim in conjunction with a Meet and Greet session between the Prime Minister and fellow Maybankers. It was witnessed by Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan; Minister for Religious Affairs, Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Hj. Mokhtar; Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, Dato’ Ramanan Ramakhrisnan. Also in attendance were Chairman of Maybank, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa and President & Group CEO, Dato’ Khairussaleh Ramli.
Dato’ John Chong, Group CEO Community Financial Services said that the myimpact SME Hub offers a full suite of services and complete ecosystem to prepare SMEs in their sustainable journey and ultimately for many, enter the global supply chain to boost their growth potential.
“We provide expert guidance and tailored support through practical tools, consultancy & advisory services, certification & accreditation facilitations as well as financing to cater to all their personalised business requirements. With the growing global demand for eco and ethically-conscious choices as well as availability of government incentives in favour of these initiatives, integrating sustainability principles is the strategic choice to ensure business continuity for the SMEs.”
In 2023, Maybank mobilised close to RM17 billion in SME financing, of which RM5 billion was sustainable financing. This brings the total financing for SME at RM66 billion from 2019 to 2023. As part of the Bank’s continued support for the 67% of the nation’s SMEs, Maybank aims to further disburse around RM18 billion of SME financing this year, representing a 13% growth in 2024 to further accelerate its customers’ transition to a more viable future.
In addition, with a focus on the Halal industry, Maybank offers a nationwide Halal Solution which is targeted to help 200,000 Malaysian Halal industry SMEs of which currently around 70% of them are Maybank customers.
These include Holistic financing solution in the form of Working Capital, Property Backed Financing, Trade Financing, SME Digital Financing and Zakat Financing (Aspirasi Wanita) to aid the growth and business expansion of Maybank Islamic’s Halal industry players. In efforts to become a holistic provider to Halal solutions and champion beyond banking services, Maybank will also provide comprehensive guidance to customers in their Halal certification journey until they successfully obtain JAKIM’s Halal certification under the Halal Facilitation initiative in addition to a Halal Assurance System (HAS) that simplifies the upkeep of Halal document management digitally, ensuring compliance to JAKIM’s Halal standards.
“We want to promote more home grown Halal champions, that are Halal certified who will play a pertinent role in their business success and ultimately support the national agenda to grow the 1 Halal market domestically to an estimated USD113.2 billion by 2030,” said Dato’ Mohamed Rafique Merican, CEO of Maybank Islamic.
To date, Maybank has guided some 40 customers in their Halal certification journey, of which 10 have successfully obtained Halal certification, while 34 customers have been on-boarded to the HAS platform. Maybank’s aspiration is to further guide some 600 customers in their Halal certification journey by end of 2025 and expand these Halal Solutions regionally with presence in Singapore and Indonesia.
[1] Source: Executive Summary, Halal Industry Master Plan 2030.