2017 has been declared as the Startup and SME Promotion Year in line with the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in significantly contributing to the nation’s growth and labour market.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government has allocated RM75 million ringgit for programmes under the SME Master Plan while RM15 billion for various schemes under the Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan (SJPP).

A total of RM200 million has also been allocated from the Working Capital Guarantee Scheme (WCGS) Fund to invigorate startups.