INCLUSIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
17 October 2025
MITEC, Kuala Lumpur
Organizers
Held in conjunction with SME Venture
About the Event
ASEAN SME Forum 2025: Inclusivity and Sustainability in Action
Join us for a transformative day at the ASEAN SME Forum 2025, where inclusivity and sustainability take center stage. With visionary speakers, actionable workshops, and exclusive networking opportunities, this forum promises to be a game-changer for SMEs in Southeast Asia.
Theme
The ASEAN SME Forum 2025 aligns with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability," reflecting a commitment to shared progress and ensuring that no one is left behind. This theme underscores the importance of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development within the ASEAN region.
This landmark event brings together over 1,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers, SME association members, and investors from across the ASEAN region to explore critical topics such as inclusive business practices, sustainable business models, and the role of SMEs in driving innovation and economic resilience.
Key Reasons of Attending
Learn from Industry Experts
Expand Your Network
Discover Emerging Trends
Access Practical Solutions
Showcase and Grow
Program
17 October 2025
MITEC, Kuala Lumpur
0800 – 0900
Registration
0915 – 0920
Negaraku and ASEAN Anthem
0920 – 0930
Welcome Address by National President, Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA), Malaysia
0930 – 0945
Officiating and Keynote Address by H.E. Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Co-operatives Development, Malaysia
0945 – 0955
Opening Ceremony
0955 – 1100
Ministerial Dialogue
Reimagining Government’s Role as Catalysts for SME Growth
- Strengthening regional financial and innovation ecosystems that combine public and private sector tools while ensuring resilience during political and economic volatility.
- Inclusive and green SME development to ensure that underserved micro and rural enterprises are not left behind in the digital shift.
- Supporting SME participation in regional value chains and digital exports through harmonised standards, mutual recognition of certifications, and e-commerce facilitation.
- Public sector as innovation enabler by acting as early adopters of SME innovations and creating regulatory sandboxes that encourage experimentation.
1100 – 1120
Networking Break
1120 – 1200
Keynote: MSMEs Development in the Context of ASEAN Integration
- Examining the current challenges, progress and visualising the future of SMEs as growth catalyst
- Deriving upon an inclusive business model to sustain growth of MSMEs in ASEAN
1200 - 1300
SME Leaders Roundtable
Positioning SME and MSMSE within global value chain
- Evaluating overall growth of ASEAN SMEs in global value chain (GVC)
- What are the strategic challenges SMEs have on path to internationalisation and global growth? How to overcome them?
- Revising technology and innovation-based decisions to increase collaboration and network
1300 – 1415
Networking Lunch / Mini-Treasure Hunt
1415 – 1515
1515 – 1535
1535 – 1550
1550 – 1645
POLICY STREAM
Accelerating MSME Growth Across ASEAN
- Narrowing down the development gaps while implementing a tech driven regulatory framework
- How ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement will help in cross border business growth
Regional Payment Gateway as Enabler of ASEAN MSME
What opportunities transition to a cashless economy offers to SMEs
Networking Break
Bridging the MSME Productivity Gap
- Diagnosing the Productivity Gap: Causes and Country Perspectives
- What structural, sectoral, and digital factors are holding MSMEs back?
BUSINESS STREAM
Opportunities in AI and Digitalisation for SMEs
- Using generative artificial intelligence and data tools to accelerate innovation
- Discussing digitalization and what it takes to accelerate its adoption among SMEs
From ASEAN to the World
This session will highlight the journey of trend setting SME from local to global map. It will explain expansion strategies, digital adoption and customer centric strategies fueling growth
Networking Break
Alternative Financing for Growth
- Reviewing trend and developments of alternative financing instruments
- How fintech and digital lending platforms can help in sustain credit flow in SMEs
POLICY STREAM
1415 – 1515
Accelerating MSME Growth Across ASEAN
- Narrowing down the development gaps while implementing a tech driven regulatory framework
- How ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement will help in cross border business growth
1515 – 1535
Regional Payment Gateway as Enabler of ASEAN MSME
What opportunities transition to a cashless economy offers to SMEs
1535 – 1550
Networking Break
1550 – 1645
Bridging the MSME Productivity Gap
- Diagnosing the Productivity Gap: Causes and Country Perspectives
- What structural, sectoral, and digital factors are holding MSMEs back?
BUSINESS STREAM
1415 – 1515
Opportunities in AI and Digitalisation for SMEs
- Using generative artificial intelligence and data tools to accelerate innovation
- Discussing digitalization and what it takes to accelerate its adoption among SMEs
1515 – 1535
From ASEAN to the World
This session will highlight the journey of trend setting SME from local to global map. It will explain expansion strategies, digital adoption and customer centric strategies fueling growth
1535 – 1550
Networking Break
1550 – 1645
Alternative Financing for Growth
- Reviewing trend and developments of alternative financing instruments
- How fintech and digital lending platforms can help in sustain credit flow in SMEs