Malaysia Unveils RM3 Billion DEWI Fund to Boost Women-Led SMEs
PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia has introduced a RM3 billion funding initiative aimed at strengthening women-led businesses and expanding opportunities within the country’s micro, small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.
The programme, known as the Women Entrepreneurs Economic Fund (DEWI), was announced by Steven Sim Chee Keong of the Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi.
The initiative was unveiled in conjunction with the global celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, which is observed on March 8 every year.
According to Steven Sim, the programme is designed to provide broader financial access for women entrepreneurs to strengthen their businesses and expand operations across various economic sectors.
He explained that the government aims to empower more women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the resources needed to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
The DEWI initiative will be implemented through four agencies under KUSKOP, namely Bank Rakyat, SME Bank, Tekun Nasional and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.
Through the programme, eligible women entrepreneurs will be able to access financing of up to RM3 million to support the expansion and development of their businesses.
The initiative is expected to benefit around 300,000 women entrepreneurs nationwide who are involved in the SME sector.
Steven Sim made the announcement when speaking to reporters during the launch of the TikTok Shop Bazar Raya 2026 event in Putrajaya.
He said the introduction of the DEWI fund reflects the government’s strong commitment to strengthening the women entrepreneurship ecosystem in Malaysia.
The government aims to ensure that women entrepreneurs receive comprehensive support through financial assistance, training programmes and various business development initiatives.
Women entrepreneurs play a vital role in driving economic growth and innovation, making their empowerment an important national priority.
In addition to financing support, the ministry will also emphasise capacity-building programmes designed to enhance business management skills among women entrepreneurs.
These programmes are expected to equip them with the necessary knowledge and strategies to sustain and grow their businesses in a competitive environment.
At the same time, KUSKOP plans to collaborate with non-governmental organisations to expand the reach of the DEWI initiative.
Such collaborations will help ensure that more women entrepreneurs, including those operating in rural areas, can benefit from the programme.
With the implementation of the DEWI fund, Malaysia hopes to see a new generation of successful women entrepreneurs contributing significantly to the nation’s economic development and strengthening the SME sector.
-wilayah.com.my
