In a move aimed at strengthening women-led business in Malaysia, the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development has allocated nearly RM3 Billion this year under the Women Entrepreneur Economic Fund (Dewi) to support women entrepreneurs across Malaysia.
Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has said in a statement that the initiative will be officially launched in conjunction with International Women’s Day on 8th March 2026. He also described the fund as part of the ministry’s broader commitment to empowering more women in business and nurturing what he calls “Iron Ladies” in the entrepreneurial landscape.
“This allocation of almost RM3 Billion is specifically for women entrepreneurs to ensure they benefit from financing, training, and various facilities provided by the government,” Sim said after launching the TikTok Shop Bazar Raya 2026 programme.
Supporting Women Across the MSME Sector
Between 200,000 and 300,000 women entrepreneurs nationwide is expected to be benefited with this Dewi Initiative, particularly those operating within the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector. With the programme, women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses will have access to financing ranging from as low as RM1,000 as high as RM3 Million, which depends on the scale and needs of their enterprises.
The funding aims to help entrepreneurs expand operations, improve their business capabilities, and strengthen their competitiveness in an increasingly digital and global marketplace.
Collaboration Across Key Agencies
The Dewi initiative will be implemented through 4 major agencies under the ministry:
- Bank Rakyat
- SME Bank
- Tekun Nasional
- Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia
Minister Sim has given an explanation that some of the programmes under the Dewi initiative are existing financing schemes, particularly those already offered by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia. However, the ministry has streamlined them under a single initiative to ensure better coordination and impact.
“We are consolidating initiatives that were previously implemented separately by respective agencies so that efforts and resources can be focused more effectively,” he said.
Strengthening Women’s Role in the Economy
This initiative represents a significant step towards strengthening women participation in Malaysia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. By combining financing, training and support services, the programme aims to equip women with the resources needed to grow sustainable businesses. With thousands of women from all over the nation already contributing to the country’s SME sector, RM3 Billion fund signals a strong push by the government to ensure women entrepreneurs continue playing a important tole in driving the nation’s economic growth.
Sources: NST
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