Uzbekistan and Malaysia discussed the advancement of small and medium-sized enterprises.

SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia) serves as the primary coordinating body under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives of Malaysia. The agency's main mission is to implement national programs aimed at supporting and developing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which number over 1.1 million in the country.

The agency is involved in the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of the effectiveness of programs designed to support and develop SMEs, and actively participates in international initiatives that strengthen the position of small and medium enterprises both domestically and globally. Key activities of SME Corp. Malaysia include organizing training and technical cooperation.

During the meeting, the agency's programs aimed at addressing the workforce shortage through productivity improvements via automation and digitalization were presented, along with initiatives in vocational training implemented within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.

In the discussions, the parties addressed the development of small and medium businesses, placing particular emphasis on exchanging experiences in implementing programs supported by relevant ministries and departments. The importance of adopting flexible business models, such as the gig economy, and the need to adapt to the demands of digital transformation were highlighted.

Special attention was given to the prospects of collaboration in enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs. The potential implementation of tools in Uzbekistan, such as the ESG Quick Guide and the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (SCORE), was discussed. Additionally, the organization of joint training sessions and programs aimed at meeting the needs of local and international markets was considered.

As a result of the meeting, directions for further cooperation were identified, including the organization of joint educational programs and webinars for sharing experiences and best practices.