KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The 31st CGC Awards 2025 honoured 32 outstanding achievements by Malaysia’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and key players in the financial ecosystem.
The awards, presented by Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC), recognise businesses and industry players that have demonstrated resilience, adaptability and inclusive participation in the country’s enterprise sector.
CGC chairman Datuk Mohammed Hussein said resilience among businesses extended beyond access to cash and credit, with the character, discipline and adaptability of business owners playing an equally important role in helping enterprises withstand challenges.
“Resilience is built in conduct, reflected in the numbers, and revealed under pressure. A strong and resilient SME sector relies on collaboration across the entire ecosystem; it is not solely the responsibility of banks.
“The government must create a conducive environment for doing business, while research institutions should assist in the commercialisation of technology. Corporations need to open their supply chains, and financial institutions must provide the necessary bridge capital for growth,” he said in his speech during the award ceremony here today.
CGC had also strengthened its support for Bumiputera companies, including providing RM223 million in guarantees to 27 Bumiputera companies last year, while its environmental, social, and governance-linked guarantees reached RM1.2 billion against a target of RM1 billion.
The awards were presented across three categories: Top Financial Institution (FI) Partner and Non-FI Partner Awards, Citation of Merits and SME Awards.
The Best Financial Partner award went to Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd, while OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd received the Bumiputera SMEs Award.
Maybank Islamic Bhd received the Special Recognition Bumiputera Award, while Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd and Public Bank Bhd were recognised under the Top FI Partner: Conventional Financial Institution category.
The Top FI Partner: Islamic Financial Institution award went to CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd, OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd and Standard Chartered Saadiq Bhd, while Bank Simpanan Nasional and Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd were recognised under the Top FI Partner: Development Financial Institution category.
Bank Simpanan Nasional also received the Top FI Partner: imSME award, while Peoplender Sdn Bhd (Fundaztic) won the Top Non-FI Partner: imSME award.
The awards ceremony also marked the launch of the RM10 billion Bank Negara Malaysia-CGC Portfolio Guarantee (PG) and Portfolio Guarantee-i (PG-i) schemes, which are expected to facilitate up to RM10 billion in guaranteed financing for an estimated 12,100 MSMEs.
The schemes, initially announced on June 3, 2026, aim to support MSMEs across key economic sectors through a risk-sharing model with participating financial institutions. The financing is designed to enhance business expansion, productivity, sustainability transitions, and overall competitiveness.
CGC said it would continue its efforts under CGC Group 2030 to deepen its impact on MSMEs, advance financial inclusion and support sustainable economic development through continued collaboration with financial institutions, government agencies, corporates and entrepreneurs.
-- BERNAMA