RM5 billion relief facility top-up expected to support around 9,000 MSMEs
The Budget 2027 allocation increases the fund to RM10 billion, with RM3.8 billion already approved from its original allocation.
Around 9,000 MSMEs are expected to benefit from additional funding for the SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SME SRF), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the RM5 billion increase when presenting Budget 2027.
The fund now stands at RM10 billion. It began in May with RM5 billion to support business resilience against economic pressures arising from the prolonged Iran War. Financing approved from the original allocation reached RM3.8 billion as of Sept 30, involving over 6,800 SME accounts.
According to BNM, affected SMEs in all sectors may use the facility until 30 June, 2027, unless the allocation is exhausted before then. The additional funding is intended to widen access to affordable working capital.
BNM also said CAKNA would be strengthened to make working capital more accessible to small contractors (G1-G4) handling government projects. Agreements under CAKNA I and II will retain the RM10 nominal stamp duty treatment until Dec 31, 2030.
Separately, Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) said RM270 million would be channelled through equity crowdfunding (ECF) and peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms. The measure aims to give MSMEs more access to growth capital and reduce their dependence on traditional financing.
The SC also highlighted a proposed matching grant to support companies seeking listings on both Bursa Malaysia and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. It said the proposal would widen Malaysian firms’ access to regional capital. Simplified guidelines for dual IPOs were recently issued together with Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
