Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank (SME Bank) has announced that its annual flagship business matching event, SME Bank XCESS 2023, will return this year featuring a hybrid experience with participation from both local and international partners. Slated on 21-22 September 2023 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, the game-changing event aims to empower and elevate SME businesses through strategic collaboration, networking, learning, and global business expansion opportunities.
Group President and CEO, Datuk Wira (Dr.) Aria Putera Ismail said, “As the global business landscape continues to evolve, SME Bank XCESS 2023 is set to open doors for SMEs and entrepreneurs via a revolutionary business matching platform that will transcend physical boundaries by combining both in-person and virtual participation. This dynamic platform will serve as a springboard for SMEs to gain invaluable insights from industry experts and establish valuable connections with strategic partners and exhibitors, expanding their access to resources, expertise, and market insights that can significantly enhance their growth trajectory.”
Elevating SMEs through Hybrid Collaboration and Virtual Connect
The 2023 edition of SME Bank XCESS presents a significant advancement in its program, unveiling a dynamic array of collaborative opportunities. Head SME Bank Stakeholder Management, Hamdan Habibollah added, “In this regard, SME Bank is orchestrating the participation of more than 60 strategic partners hailing from both local and international spheres. This concerted effort aims to facilitate substantive conversations and engagements between SMEs, entrepreneurs, and a diverse array of stakeholders, including government agencies, anchor corporations, retail and hypermarket entities, suppliers, importers, and market linkers.”
Facilitating Access to Financing and Developmental Initiatives
Recognising the importance of financing for SME growth, SME Bank XCESS 2023 will provide a gateway for SMEs to explore various funding options and Beyond Financing programmes. By bringing together Malaysian SMEs and entrepreneurs under one roof, this event creates an exceptional platform that encourages both virtual and in-person interactions between SMEs and experienced relationship managers from SME Bank. These interactions aim to facilitate comprehensive financing and business solutions tailored to the diverse needs of entrepreneurs, ranging from social enterprise entities to larger corporations, including aspects beyond financing such as capacity building. This effort is designed to empower SMEs in effectively navigating the funding landscape while equipping them with the tools for enhanced growth and success.
A noteworthy inclusion in this year’s event is the distinguished presence of the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research Sdn. Bhd. (CEDAR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SME Bank. CEDAR’s participation underscores the bank’s commitment to equipping SMEs and entrepreneurs with a holistic approach to business growth through various entrepreneurship development programs that are specifically designed to nurture the inherent potential of SMEs, enhancing their capacity for sustained expansion within the nation’s vibrant economic landscape.
Connecting Global Business Prospects
Expanding upon the Cross-Border Partnership that enables virtual engagements and interactions between SMEs and the global market, XCESS 2023 introduces an avenue that will enable SMEs to showcase their products or services to international buyers through a newly launched initiative known as the XCESS Beyond Borders (XBB) program. The XBB is expected to efficiently pave the way for new cross-border business opportunities for local SMEs, thus facilitating business expansion and long-term sustainability.
Showcasing Government Programmes and MECD Agencies
SME Bank XCESS 2023 will showcase a spectrum of innovative products, services, and solutions by agencies under the purview of the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD) such as the Vendor Development Program (VDP), underscoring the government’s commitment to SME development and progress.
