Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the 2025 Budget Initiative aims to stimulate SME-driven growth and enhance economic resilience, while bolstering investor confidence.
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian government has unveiled a new 211 million MYR (53 million USD) funding package through SME Bank under the 2025 Budget Initiative, bringing this year’s total allocation for micro, small, and medium-siz♛ed enterprises (MSMEs) to over 1 billion MYR.
Speaking at the launch, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the initiative aims to stimulate SME-driven growth and enhance economic resilience, while bolstering investor confidence.
The new funding focuses on key sectors such as technology, environmental, social and governance (ESG), tourism, and the halal industry. These efforts align with the country's energy transition roadmap and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, supporting the MADANI economic framework.
SME Bank Acting Chairman and CEO Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim outlined five programs under the package, including support for women entrepreneurs, Bumiputera businesses, low-carbon transition, digital skills training, and startup aid for vulnerable groups.
SME Bank is targeting 3 billion MYR in approved funding for 2025 to build a future-ready MSME sector. From May 1, the bank became part of Malaysia’s broader development banking group, along with EXIM Bank and Bank Pembangunan. The consolidation is expected to enhance synergy and improve capital distribution across the national financial ecosystem.
The finance minister emphasised that streamlined operations across development financial institutions will better mobilise resources to advance national policy goals and strengthen SME competitiveness both domestically and globally./.
Startup ASEAN platform brings all stakeholders together under one digital roof, expected to promote open innovation, improve access to capital, and strengthen ASEAN’s position as a dynamic and connected innovation powerhouse.
A participant in the Malaysia Economic Forum 2025 said despite challenges, there are significant opportunities in AI, digital transformation, and green technologies, requiring the country to balance both risk and potential thoughtfully.
The pact covers goods, services, investments, intellectual property rights, customs facilitation, competition policy, sanitary and phytosanitary, trade and sustainable development, government procurement and economic cooperation.
According to the official, the digital economy has played a key role in lifting the Thai economy. In the past five months, the value of digital exports tallied 860 billion THB (26.54 billion USD), up 35% year-on-year.
The event underscored Vietnam’s proactive role in advancing human rights in the context of climate change, helped strengthen its network of partners, and shared practical lessons with the international community.
SEA Games 33 is scheduled for December 9–20 in Bangkok, Chon Buri, and Songkhla, while the ASEAN Para Games 13 will take place from January 20–26, 2026, in Nakhon Ratchasima
Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani said the collaboration could help Indonesia achieve its renewable energy targets, including a 34% renewable energy mix by 2034 and 87% by 2060.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is preparing to hold discussions with the Bank of Thailand, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the Finance Ministry and the Commerce Ministry to realign economic priorities given the limited available resources, with a focus on the next 6-12 months.
Currently, Indonesia's daily oil consumption stands at 1.6 million barrels and it sets an ambitious target of achieving 1 million barrels of oil per day by 2029 or 2030.
In its first year, Tomorrowland will hold a 2-3 day event, offering exclusive packages, pre- and post-tours, and hotel accommodations. This model will resemble Tomorrowland in Belgium, which will significantly boost Thailand’s tourism industry.
The police has taken appropriate measures to ensure high preparedness ahead of this meeting, and the main focus is on the security of VIPs, traffic control and handling emergencies, he said, adding the team will use sophisticated technologies such as facial recognition systems and explosives detection to ensure the event runs smoothly.
At a press briefing on July 3, Indonesia's national search and rescue agency chief Mohammad Syafii confirmed that five people died in the incident and 25 are still missing.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai was assigned Acting Prime Minister, replacing caretaker Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, following a special Cabinet meeting on July 3.
Under the new regulations, only pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids (PMAs), such as electric wheelchairs, are allowed on pedestrian-only paths, which are marked with the words “pedestrians only.” Cycling paths, by contrast, are painted red.
The two-tier local government model will serve as a key driver for Vietnam’s green economic development and enhanced governance capacity amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution and deep international integration, according to Prensa Latina.
The Indonesia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) from S&P Global, released on July 1, dropped to a reading of 46.9 in June from 47.4 in May, indicating a further deterioration in the health of goods-producing industries.
From July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026, the new tariff in Malaysia aims to boost electricity costs by 10-14% before surcharges for major consumers such as data centres.
Indonesia plays an important role in the ASEAN digital ecosystem, with a population of 280 million people, or around 40% of the ASEAN population, and makes a substantial contribution to the region's digital economy.
