Deputy Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan delivers his speech at the Asean SME Forum 2025 and SME Venture@Asean at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) today - BERNAMA PIC
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean SME Caucus is a strategic platform that brings together small and medium enterprises (SMEs) counterparts from across Asean to strengthen cross-border cooperation, champion SME development and enhance the collective voice of its business community.
Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the caucus, launched today in conjunction with the Asean SME Forum 2025, would not only serve as a meeting ground but also as a driving force for policy dialogue, knowledge exchange and coordinated action.
He said the caucus would empower Asean's SMEs to thrive in a world shaped by digitalisation, sustainability and shifting global dynamics.
"By bringing Asean together, SME associations from all across Asean will serve as a unified and strategic platform to voice shared challenges, exchange best practices, and collaboratively shape policy directions that will define the future of the region's economic landscape," he said when officiating at the Asean SME Forum 2025 here today.
Ramanan said that amid today's global uncertainties, from intensifying geopolitical tensions and escalating trade wars to persistent supply chain disruptions, SMEs must think and act boldly to capitalise on the vast opportunities unlocked by the growing network of free trade agreements, both within Asean and with its strategic global partners.
"Foremost among them is the transformative Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which stands as a game changer in regional trade.
"The agreements are not just access points to new markets. They are gateways to accelerate growth, innovation and dynamic cross-border collaborations that can elevate regional SMEs to become global players," he said.
To seize all those opportunities demands, SMEs must innovate and adapt to digitalisation as it is a passport to global markets and to lead and thrive in Asean's economic transformation, he said.
Commenting on the Asean SME Forum 2025, Ramanan said it brought together policymakers, industry leaders and entrepreneurs from across the region who serve as the key architects of growth, pioneers of innovation and enablers of sustainable prosperity in Asean.
"Even though your business may be small now, there is a chance for you to grow and become successful.
"Through networking, the relationships that we build during this session will truly be a path to success," he said.
– Bernama