Malaysia adds $2.5B in SME funding, targeting first-time borrowers, total support now $34.9B.

Bank Negara Malaysia announced an additional 2.5 billion ringgit in funding for SMEs on January 6, 2026, targeting first-time borrowers and bringing the total support to 34.9 billion ringgit. The move, part of a broader effort to improve financial access and economic resilience, includes a planned shift to a guarantee-based model aiming for 10 billion ringgit in guaranteed financing.