In a landmark moment for Malaysia’s entrepreneurial landscape, the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) under the leadership of Deputy Minister YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan has for the first time, extended formal recognition and strategic support for Indian entrepreneurs through the Empowering Indian Entrepreneur (EIP) initiatives.
The recognition was presented yesterday at the Business Icon Awards 2025, organized by Nambikkai Media at Dewan Tun Razak, Bank Rakyat, marking a major milestone in the MADANI Government’s goal of building a more inclusive and competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A Milestone for the Indian Business Community
The EIP initiative goes beyond acknowledgement, it is designed as a catalytic platform offering entrepreneurs access to training, financing pathways and global business networks. More than 50 entrepreneurs were honored across categories such as leadership, digital innovation and women empowerment, symbolizing a new chapter in government-backed support for the Indian community.
Represented at the ceremony by his Senior Private Secretary, Datuk Anbumani Balan, Dato Ramanan said the effort reflects the administration’s commitment to uplifting Indian entrepreneurs who continue to contribute dynamically to the nation’s economy.
“By opening doors to recognition and strategic support such as this, I am confident that Indian entrepreneurs will not only excel domestically but also break into international markets,” he said.
Strengthening Pathways: From Financing to Global Expansion
Dato Ramanan emphasized that the EIP serves as a bridge connecting entrepreneurs to major KUSKOP agencies including AIM, TEKUN Nasional, SME Corp, SME Bank, Bank Rakyat, PERNAS, IKMA and INSKEN. These agencies offer everything from microfinancing to capacity-building programs.
Bank Rakyat’s official involvement in supporting the awards marks a significant public-private collaboration aimed at positioning Indian entrepreneurs as key drivers of Malaysia’s future economic growth.
“For the first time ever, implementing agencies under special entrepreneurship initiatives for the Indian community — such as the Indian Women Empowerment Program (PENN) by AIM, SPUMI & SPUMI Goes Big by TEKUN Nasional, the BRIEF-i Program by Bank Rakyat, and the Vanigham Initiative by SME Bank — will step forward to honor successful Indian entrepreneurs. These individuals will become ambassadors and inspirational icons to encourage more people to venture into entrepreneurship,” he said.
Impact Beyond Awards: Thousands Empowered
Since assuming his role, Dato Ramanan has announced more than 10 targeted initiatives worth nearly RM471.5 million, empowering over 13,000 Indian entrepreneurs, excluding an additional RM100 million under MITRA for the Indian B40 community. These efforts mark the most significant coordinated government support the community has received in decades.
Award Recipients Speak: “A Beautiful Moment in My Career”
Among the awardees was Manjula Subramaniam of Nhavin Enterprise, recipient of the Leadership Excellence in 3R (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) Award, and a beneficiary of AIM’s PENN program.
“I am deeply touched to receive this award. This is a truly beautiful moment in my career. Thank you to Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan for giving us this kind of recognition. I am speechless. Thank you, AIM, ”she said, attending the ceremony with her husband.
Another honouree, Sathies a/l Supramaniam of Sanwa Tours (M) Sdn Bhd, who secured financing under SME Bank’s Vanigham Programme and won the Best Transportation Operations Leadership Award, called the recognition a much-needed encouragement. “Thank you KUSKOP, especially Datuk Seri Ramanan, for this award,” he said.
A New Era of Inclusive Entrepreneurship
With the EIP initiative gaining momentum, the recognition marks a defining step in ensuring economic opportunities are distributed equitably across communities in line with the MADANI vision. For Indian entrepreneurs, this represents not only acknowledgement but a pathway towards sustainability, competitiveness and global visibility.
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