Latest news with #MohammadHardeeIbrahim
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
SME confidence persists despite softening outlook
SME Bank acting group president/chief executive officer Datuk Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim. KUALA LUMPUR: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd's (SME Bank) sentiment index for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the first half of 2025 signals continued confidence despite a moderating outlook. In a statement yesterday, SME Bank said its SME Sentiment Index registered a solid 55.2, reflecting continued optimism among entrepreneurs nationwide, even as they anticipate economic and financial challenges from US tariffs. 'This marks a slight moderation from 55.8 in the previous half. The index remains well above the neutral 50 level, indicating steady confidence despite a softening from the strong post-Covid rebound seen in earlier surveys,' it said. The SME Sentiment Index survey, conducted between January and April 2025, reached a record 2,007 respondents from 39 sectors across all business sizes. Acting group president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim noted more cautious optimism among entrepreneurs, citing softer expectations around sales, expansion and hiring. 'Although short-term sentiment has softened, Malaysia remains on a steady growth path supported by structural reforms, high-quality investments, and a focus on resilience and shared prosperity,' he said. Meanwhile, SME Bank chief economist Lynette Lee Li Qing said the index serves as a timely barometer of entrepreneurial sentiment, suggesting Malaysia's overall economy will continue to expand in 2025, albeit at a modest pace. 'The World Bank recently revised Malaysia's gross domestic product growth forecast down to 3.9%, alongside a cut in global growth due to heightened uncertainties arising from trade tension.' — Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
MSMEs remain confident in first-half 2025 but outlook moderating: SME Bank survey
KUALA LUMPUR: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd's (SME Bank) sentiment index for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises for the first half of 2025 has signalled continued confidence despite a moderating outlook. In a statement today, SME Bank said its SME Sentiment Index registered a solid 55.2, reflecting continued optimism among entrepreneurs nationwide while anticipating economic and financial challenges arising from the United States' tariffs. 'This marks a slight moderation from 55.8 in the previous half. The index remains well above the neutral 50 level, indicating steady confidence despite a softening from the strong post-Covid rebound seen in earlier surveys,' it said. The SME Sentiment Index survey, conducted between January and April, hit a new record high of 2,007 respondents to include participants from 39 sectors across all business sizes. Acting group president and CEO Datuk Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim said entrepreneurs showed more cautious optimism, citing softer expectations around sales, expansion and hiring. 'Although short-term sentiment has softened, Malaysia remains on a steady growth path supported by structural reforms, high-quality investments and a focus on resilience and shared prosperity,' he said. Meanwhile, SME Bank chief economist Lynette Lee Li Qing said the SME Sentiment Index serves as a timely barometer of entrepreneurial sentiment. It suggests that Malaysia's overall economy will continue to expand in 2025, albeit at a modest pace. 'World Bank has recently revised Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast down to 3.9 per cent, alongside a cut in global growth due to heightened uncertainties arising from trade tension. 'Nonetheless, Malaysia's growth rate is still above some regional peers such as Thailand (3.1 per cent) and Singapore (3.9 per cent),' she said. – Bernama
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
SME Sentiment Index Signals Continued Confidence Among Entrepreneurs Despite Moderating Outlook
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad ("SME Bank") has released the results of its SME Sentiment Index for the first half of 2025 ('1H 2025'), reflecting continued confidence among Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises ('MSMEs') despite anticipating economic and financial challenges arising from the United States' Tariff announcement. The latest index serves as a timely barometer of entrepreneurial sentiment, combining MSME perspectives with forward-looking indicators to provide valuable insights into the evolving business landscape and Malaysia's economic trajectory. 'SME Bank's SME Sentiment Index registered a solid 55.2 in the first half of 2025, reflecting continued optimism among entrepreneurs nationwide. While this marks a slight moderation from 55.8 in the previous half, the index remains well above the neutral level of 50, indicating steady confidence despite a softening from the strong post-COVID rebound observed in earlier surveys. Entrepreneurs are showing more cautious optimism, citing softer expectations around sales, expansion, and hiring. This sentiment echoes broader economic signs, reflecting recalibration in alignment with the MADANI Economic Framework, which prioritises sustainable, inclusive growth. While short-term sentiment has softened, Malaysia remains on a steady growth path, supported by structural reforms, high-quality investments, and a focus on resilience and shared prosperity,' said Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group President/Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank.
Barnama
7 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
SME Bank And BSN Forge Strategic Partnership To Spark Innovative Growth For Malaysian Entrepreneurs
KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad ('SME Bank') and Bank Simpanan Nasional ('BSN') have entered a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding ('MoU') to empower Malaysia's homegrown entrepreneurs. Aligned with the MADANI economic framework and the National Entrepreneurship Framework ('NEF'), this collaboration aims to catapult the growth of entrepreneurs through improved financial access, capacity building and digital enablement—reinforcing the role of Development Financial Institutions ('DFIs') in nation-building. Datuk Dr Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group President/Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank, said 'Reaffirming our developmental mandate, we are committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable national growth by forging strategic partnerships that enhance access for SMEs to embrace innovative digital solutions. Central to this collaboration, BSN's extensive pool of microfinance customers can leverage SME Bank's robust suite of digital tools tailored for MSME development. In particular, is through our ScoreXcess, a one-stop business financing application portal for small and micro financing operated by our capacity building and training arm – Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research ('CEDAR'). By leveraging our combined expertise, this partnership signifies a strategic collaboration between two DFIs, reflecting our shared commitment to accelerate entrepreneurial growth and deliver tailored support that addresses the dynamic needs of today.'
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
SME Bank, BSN join forces to boost local entrepreneurs
KUALA LUMPUR: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) have joined forces to support the growth of homegrown entrepreneurs. The collaboration aims to enhance access to financing, build capacity and promote digital adoption, strengthening the role of development financial institutions (DFIs) in nation-building. In a statement, SME Bank said the initiative aligns with the National Entrepreneurship Framework under the Madani Economy. Acting group president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim said the bank is committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable national growth. He said the commitment is achieved by forging strategic partnerships that enhance access for SMEs, enabling them to embrace innovative digital solutions. He said the key part of the partnership is that BSN's large group of microfinance customers will be able to use SME Bank's range of digital tools, designed to help MSMEs grow. "In particular, is through our ScoreXcess, a one-stop business financing application portal for small and micro financing operated by our capacity building and training arm – Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research. "By leveraging our combined expertise, this partnership signifies a strategic collaboration between two DFIs, reflecting our shared commitment to accelerate entrepreneurial growth and deliver tailored support that addresses the dynamic needs of today," Mohammad Hardee said. SME Bank's digital transformation journey, anchored by platforms such as ScoreXcess, ELSA and ODELA, has been instrumental in supporting nearly 5,000 SMEs across strategic sectors from 2021 to 2024. These platforms are designed to enhance access to financing and to provide structured assessments and market access, forming a comprehensive digital ecosystem to accelerate SME growth. Through this collaboration, ScoreXcess platform has facilitated the submission of 89 applications, amounting to RM 3.2 million in financing requests. This initiative highlights how strategic partnerships can enhance the reach and effectiveness of SME Bank's digital ecosystem, solidifying its role as a catalyst for SME development nationwide.
