PETALING JAYA: Malaysian small and medium enterprises must strengthen their credit readiness and business credibility to secure financing, adopt digital tools, and grow sustainably in a more competitive economy.
CTOS Data Systems Sdn Bhd CEO Lee Shin Mei said that access to financing remained one of the biggest challenges for many SMEs, especially as businesses faced rising operating costs, cash flow pressures and a more competitive business environment.
“Funding is important, but SMEs must also be ready for funding. This means having better visibility of their financial position, understanding their credit health and managing business risks more effectively,” Lee said at the recent CTOS SME Biz Day 2026 in Petaling Jaya.
“Ultimately, credit readiness is about trust. When businesses are able to demonstrate credibility, discipline and resilience, they are in a stronger position to access financing, build partnerships and grow with greater confidence,” she added.
The Petaling Jaya edition of CTOS SME Biz Day 2026 attracted thousands of SME owners, business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the country.
Lee said the strong turnout and positive feedback reaffirmed the growing demand among SMEs for practical insights, digital solutions, funding opportunities, and business networking platforms to help them navigate an increasingly competitive and technology-driven business landscape.
Building on the success of the Petaling Jaya event, CTOS will bring its flagship SME event series to Penang (July 28) and Johor Bahru (Sept 8) in the months ahead.
The series aims to bring together SME owners, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, technology providers, government agencies, and ecosystem partners to address key challenges facing Malaysian businesses, including access to financing, digital transformation, business sustainability, and growth.
Lee said that CTOS SME Biz Day also placed strong emphasis on business learning, with insights from successful and up-and-coming entrepreneurs among the key highlights of this year’s event series.
In partnership with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), CTOS SME Biz Day also aims to accelerate the digital transformation journey of Malaysian SMEs by providing access to industry experts, government initiatives, digital adoption programmes and emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
She described CTOS’s partnership with MDEC as an important collaboration that brings together industry capability, digital ecosystem support and a shared commitment to helping SMEs become more competitive in the digital economy.
Lee also commended MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil’s visionary leadership and strong understanding of the challenges faced by SMEs, particularly the need for practical, accessible and outcome-driven support that can help businesses digitalise, improve productivity and build long-term resilience.
“Digitalisation should create real business value. For SMEs, the focus should be on practical solutions that help them operate more efficiently, reduce risk and open up new opportunities for growth,” she said.
“Artificial intelligence and digital tools are actively reshaping industries and redefining competitiveness, making it important for SMEs to adopt practical solutions that could improve productivity, enhance customer experience and unlock new growth opportunities.”
Lee said SMEs remained a vital part of Malaysia’s economy and would need stronger ecosystem support as they adapt to changing market conditions.
“SMEs are the backbone of the economy. By bringing together funders, technology partners, policymakers and business owners, we want to create a platform where SMEs can find practical support, build confidence and take the next step in their growth journey,” she said.
