Kuala lumpur: SME Corp. Malaysia has allocated RM1.5 million under the Next Level CEO programme to help senior management of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) take their companies to the next level. In a statement today, the agency said the programme targets upskilling 90 chief executive officers, managing directors, or founders of high-growth, high-value MSMEs, to help them contribute more to the economy and support the national scaling agenda.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme, which is designed to strengthen leadership and strategic skills, is a component under the Programme for Enhancement of Strategic Industry and High Growth Enterprise (PRESTIGE) 2.0. "The programme is designed to equip MSME leaders with strategic knowledge, leadership skills, innovative thinking, and a global perspective to drive organisational transformation, increase productivity and strengthen competitiveness. It also offers an executive learning experience through a combination of training sessions, coaching, mentoring, and exposure to industry best practices," the statement read.
SME Corp. Malaysia has appointed Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., ASB Management Sdn. Bhd., and Efficient Frontier Consulting Sdn. Bhd as its partners to run the Next Level CEO Programme. The programme under Heriot-Watt University Malaysia was launched today by SME Corp. Malaysia CEO Rizal Nainy. Also present was the university's Provost and CEO, Prof. Dr. Mushtak Al-Atabi.
The agency said the implementing partners will develop course modules, conduct training and coaching sessions, carry out the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (SCORE), and monitor the programme's impact. In the same statement, Rizal said the Next Level CEO Programme is a strategic investment in leadership development because organisational transformation starts with leaders who have vision, the courage to drive change, and the ability to seize new opportunities.
Rizal further emphasized, "Malaysia needs more MSMEs that are not only resilient but also capable of growing into high-value companies that compete globally. Through this programme, we hope to produce more industry leaders who can drive business growth, increase productivity, and contribute to the nation's economic development."
The launch of the Next Level CEO Programme under ASB Management and Efficient Frontier Consulting is scheduled for mid-August and September, respectively.