ASEAN Nations Join Forces To Strengthen Trade, Innovation, and Collaboration For The SME Sector

The ASEAN SME Caucus brings together SME leaders from across the region to strengthen trade, innovation and cross-border cooperation within ASEAN.

The ASEAN SME Forum 2025 marked a pivotal moment for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Southeast Asia with the official formation of the ASEAN SME Caucus, a milestone initiative designed to strengthen regional collaboration and unlock collective growth potential.

Held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, the Forum was jointly organised by SME Corp Malaysia and the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA), with the support of the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP). The event also coincided with SME Venture@ASEAN 2025.

The newly established ASEAN SME Caucus brings together SME associations and chambers of commerce from all ten ASEAN member states under one unified platform.

Its mission is to enhance regional cooperation, amplify the collective voice of more than 70 million ASEAN SMEs, and foster inclusive growth within the ASEAN Economic Community.

The formation ceremony was witnessed by Dato’ Sri R. Ramanan, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development; Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee bin Daud, Secretary General of KUSKOP; and Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC).

Datuk William Ng, President of SAMENTA Malaysia, described the initiative as a timely response to the need for stronger intra-ASEAN trade links. “Despite being close neighbours, intra-ASEAN trade remains around 21%, far below the European Union’s 66%. One of the main goals of the ASEAN SME Caucus is to help increase trade within the region and make market access easier for our SMEs,” he said.

In his opening address, Dato’ Sri R. Ramanan commended the formation of the Caucus as an essential step toward building a unified SME ecosystem.

“The Caucus will serve as a driving force for policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and coordinated action. It will empower ASEAN SMEs to thrive in a world driven by digitalisation, sustainability, and changing trade dynamics,” he noted.

The ASEAN SME Caucus is expected to act as a bridge between policymakers and the private sector, facilitating cross-border trade, innovation, and shared prosperity. Its key roles include:

• Representing and advocating for the interests of SMEs at national, regional, and international levels.

• Facilitating cross-border collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and joint initiatives among member associations.

• Supporting policy dialogue and contributing to SME-related policymaking within ASEAN.

• Enhancing competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability across the SME landscape.

Founding members of the Caucus include SME associations and chambers from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam — representing a shared commitment to advancing the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As the highlight of the ASEAN SME Forum 2025, the establishment of the ASEAN SME Caucus marks a new era of partnership, empowering small and medium enterprises to take a more prominent role in driving innovation, sustainability, and economic inclusivity throughout ASEAN.