Public Programmes

CEDAR complements the role of the SME Bank Malaysia by offering unique effective entrepreneur development and coaching programmes. The objective of these programmes is to enable entrepreneurs to realise the business, creating values and sustaining their growth in a holistic and meaningful way. Developed upon its proprietary wide-based industry research, market-findings as well as real-life case studies, CEDAR's programmes are distinct from the numerous generic market programmes offered by the other institutions. Our public programmes are HRDF claimable under the SBL Scheme.

Current Programmes
Past Programmes

Maju Usahawan MADANI (MUM) 2025

This program aims to train 3,000 participants with essential business skills, maximizing the National Budget 2025 allocation to support business growth and digital transformation.

Skim Insentif Kelestarian is a capacity-building program aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs by adopting practices based on sustainability and resilience.

The Mandatory Training Programme (MTP) is a structured knowledge-sharing initiative tailored for SMEs.

Lestari Bumi Development Programme is part of the government's initiative under the 2021 Budget to provide financial assistance to Bumiputera micro and small businesses to elevate their operations in terms of production capacity, market penetration, and competitiveness, or as support to restart businesses during the National Recovery Plan (NRP) phase.

The Juara Lestari Program is a capacity-building initiative aimed at supporting grassroots social enterprises in their efforts to elevate their status to accredited social enterprises. This initiative seeks to strengthen the role of social enterprises as "Champions" in promoting community sustainability.

The Mandatory Training Programme (MTP) is a structured knowledge-sharing initiative tailored for SMEs. It is designed to strengthen and enhance their capabilities through the development of essential skills and knowledge. This programme also serves as a compulsory session for selected participants who are customers of SME Bank, supporting their growth journey through continuous learning.

Skim Insentif Kelestarian is a capacity-building program aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs by adopting practices based on sustainability and resilience. This program is in line with the Malaysia Madani objectives, Chapter 11 of the 12th Malaysia Plan, as well as the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aims to enhance the skills of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia to attract foreign investment and increase export opportunities.

TITAN is a strategic five-year programme launched in 2020 to nurture high-potential SME Bank clients towards achieving significant business valuations and becoming listing-ready. The programme is structured in phases, starting with Gap Analysis, followed by Implementation and Monitoring. Through this comprehensive approach, CEDAR is committed to supporting these companies in scaling effectively and building long-term value.

This initiative supports the Government’s aspiration to empower asnaf entrepreneurs by enhancing their competitiveness and helping them scale up their businesses. It focuses on strengthening financial management and marketing strategies to ensure sustainable growth.

This programme is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of SMEs through key modules focused on improving business performance. The training equips SMEs to manage their finances effectively, boost operational efficiency, and drive long-term success.

The Program Usahawan Perantis (SPACE) 2.0 targets up to 300 final-year students, with priority given to those with at least one year of business experience, from the B40 group, or Persons with Disabilities (OKU). Participants will also receive a grant to support their entrepreneurial journey.

The SME Recapitalisation Fund is an initiative aimed at assisting Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in strengthening their financial positions, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund focuses on improving SMEs' balance sheets and facilitating sustainable growth within various supply chains.

This programme focuses on capacity development and the provision of seed funding for participants within the Halal industry ecosystem.

The PEMERKASA Matching Grant Package (PMG) is a financing solution introduced by SME Bank to support SMEs operating in the 3D sectors—dirty, dangerous, and difficult—especially within the manufacturing, services, agriculture, and construction industries. This initiative is aimed at businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them recover and sustain operations.

The TERAJU Supply Chain (BSC) for Wholesale and Retail Sector programme is designed to empower participants with key knowledge and skills to enhance their business operations. This comprehensive training aims to enhance participants' ability to navigate the evolving market landscape while ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness.

This programme plays a vital role in supporting entrepreneurs by providing comprehensive guidance on key business areas, particularly financial management. It aims to improve daily operational efficiency while equipping participants with practical strategies and tools—such as online accounting software—to drive business success.

N-GENE is an online entrepreneurship training and business strengthening programme designed to support graduates and young individuals in starting low-risk businesses. The programme offers guidance and matching opportunities with franchise and pre-franchise business models. Participants will also receive a startup grant to help kickstart their entrepreneurial journey. This programme is managed by the PROTÉGÉ KUSKOP unit in collaboration with CEDAR SME Bank, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS), Institut Keusahawanan Negara (INSKEN), and TEKUN Nasional.

The i-SMART programme, launched in 2017, is designed to develop Bumiputera champions who can drive the growth and performance of SMEs. The aim is to build high-income, globally competitive businesses that contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic well-being of the community.

This programme is designed to empower small contractors in the oil and gas sector by promoting business sustainability through a structured approach that combines both training and coaching sessions. Conducted under the supervision of the Johor Petroleum Development Corporation (JPDC), the programme also aims to prepare participants for bigger roles within the industry, positioning them to take on greater responsibilities and opportunities in the future.

This programme is conducted under the purview of ECOTECH – ASEAN Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement, with support from the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) and the Intellectual Property Department of Hong Kong, China as the programme partner. It involves active participation from ASEAN Member States (AMS). Through this workshop, SMEs are guided on how to navigate the legal landscape to ensure compliance with intellectual property (IP) protection laws. Participants receive hands-on training, expert guidance, and preliminary advice on the cross-border implementation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

SME Bank Swiss Innovation Challenge Online Bootcamp on 10th September 2024

The SME Bank Sandbox Swiss Innovation Challenge (SSSIC) 2024 is a prestigious competition organized by SME Bank Malaysia, in collaboration with the Swiss Innovation Challenge (SIC), led by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). This programme is designed to uncover and support innovative business ideas that deliver significant environmental, social, and economic impact. It aligns closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encouraging solutions that drive sustainability, inclusivity, and real-world transformation.

The aim of the talk segment is to promote AI adoption in the agriculture industry by sharing relatable success stories and addressing common fears and challenges. The program seeks to raise awareness by empowering the audience with valuable knowledge and dispelling misconceptions. It also serves as a source of inspiration through real-world, localized case studies and success stories, while facilitating knowledge transfer to help participants embrace AI solutions for their businesses.

Kursus Asas Kewangan Dan Pemasaran - Perbadanan Usahawan Negeri Johor (PUJB) @ Hotel Merdeka, Kluang, Johor on 26th September 2024

This course is organised by Perbadanan Usahawan Johor (PUJB) to empower Johor entrepreneurs with foundational knowledge in business documentation, financial literacy, and marketing strategies. Held as a one-day session, the course aims to enhance participants’ understanding of financial statements and equip them with practical marketing techniques to boost sales and grow their businesses effectively.

For this programme, the SMEs will go through training sessions and matching sessions with Technology Service Providers to enable SMEs to adopt digital solutions in their business. Priority is given to SMEs in retail, F&B, logistics sectors and professional services.

The Young Entrepreneur Development Programme (YEDP) is an initiative by SME Bank Malaysia aimed at nurturing and empowering young entrepreneurs in Malaysia. The programme offers structured entrepreneurship training, mentorship from industry experts, and access to financing support to help youth build sustainable and impactful businesses. It targets Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 30 who own majority shares in businesses registered under SSM. Participants must also hold a certificate in entrepreneurship or have completed training by CEDAR. This programme supports the national goal of increasing youth participation in entrepreneurship and driving the country’s economic growth through the development of capable and innovative young business leaders.

The Halal Awareness Program offers comprehensive coaching and funding support through grants, specifically designed to guide SMEs in their journey toward Halal certification. This initiative aims to equip businesses with the essential knowledge, skills, and tools needed to enhance their market credibility and competitiveness in the Halal industry. Through structured training and hands-on guidance, the program ensures that participating SMEs are well-prepared to meet Halal certification requirements, positioning them for long-term success in the growing Halal market.

Program 1-Hari Seminar Keusahawanan Mahasiswa (PROTÉGÉ-KUSKOP) - programme icon

This one-day programme is aimed at fresh graduates who are new to entrepreneurship. It introduces participants to basic entrepreneurial knowledge, providing them with insights into starting and managing a business. The session includes practical guidance to help graduates explore entrepreneurship as a potential career path.

This initiative aligns with the Government's aspiration to guide Asnaf entrepreneurs to become more competitive and expand their businesses to a higher level by strengthening financial management and marketing strategies.

The PEMERKASA Matching Grant Package (PMG) is a financing product introduced by the Bank to assist SMEs in the 3D sectors (dirty, dangerous, and difficult), particularly in manufacturing, services, agriculture, and construction, that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

N-GENE is an online entrepreneurship training and business strengthening program designed to help graduates and young individuals start low-risk businesses. It provides guidance and matching opportunities for franchise and pre-franchise businesses. Participants will also receive a startup grant to kickstart their aspirations. This program is managed by the PROTÉGÉ KUSKOP unit in collaboration with CEDAR SME Bank, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS), Institut Keusahawanan Negara (INSKEN), and TEKUN Nasional.

This specialized training targets final-year students from public and private universities (IPTA/IPTS) and ILKA, including individuals from the B40 group and persons with disabilities (OKU) who are running a business or interested in starting one. The first phase of the program consists of a 3-day, 2-night training session, with accommodation and meals provided. The second phase involves online mentoring sessions.

This program aims to assist selected companies in their export efforts and expansion into target markets by providing knowledge, support, and guidance in exploring global markets and enhancing their competitiveness.

The three foundational courses for entrepreneurship, conducted online, are designed to provide essential knowledge and skills for aspiring entrepreneurs to build and sustain their businesses.

This program plays a crucial role for entrepreneurs as it provides comprehensive guidance on business aspects, particularly in financial management. It will help them improve daily operational efficiency while offering useful strategies and tools, such as online accounting software, to achieve business success.

The main purpose of this program is to assist entrepreneurs, especially micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, in meeting the necessary requirements and standards to obtain halal certification.

This program is designed to improve the quality and safety of Halal products and services, due to the strict standards and guidelines that are part of the packaging process. It also aims to equip participants with knowledge of the criteria set by supermarkets/retail outlets, including their importance, requirements, and benefits.

This program aims to strengthen and register the Intellectual Property of entrepreneurs, particularly Bumiputera (with a focus on Trademarks). Entrepreneurs will also learn about the importance of branding (Trademarks) and how to enhance consumer confidence and secure exclusive intellectual property ownership through Trademark registration.

This program aims to enhance SME skills and knowledge through key modules focused on improving business performance, where these modules help SMEs manage finances effectively, boost efficiency, and drive long-term success.

The three foundational courses for entrepreneurship, conducted online, are designed to provide essential knowledge and skills for aspiring entrepreneurs to build and sustain their businesses.

This program aims to strengthen SMEs' internal capacity and readiness for export markets through training and coaching. It focuses on enhancing competitiveness by addressing key areas such as human resource capacity, financial and legal resources, production capacity, and strategic management. The goal is to help SMEs overcome challenges like language barriers, secure financing, and improve overall business practices for success in international trade.

ISHRAF is a special entrepreneurship program for micro and small Asnaf entrepreneurs. This program aims to enable them to enhance their skills and capabilities to grow, expand, and sustain their businesses by adopting digital technology, thereby positioning them to move out of the zakat recipient category and become zakat payers themselves.

CEDAR employs a study tour approach in sharing experience from other organizations with our collaborative partners. Study tours give a real experience to see how technologies give an impact to grow planning initiatives besides obtaining expertise from established and successful organizations.

Ecothon is a business model competition for eco-entrepreneurs focused on SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production. It supports entrepreneurs in transforming innovative ideas into feasible business models, promoting eco-entrepreneurship and contributing to the achievement of the UN SDGs by developing sustainable businesses that minimize environmental impact.

This initiative is part of the government's efforts under the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA) to encourage the use of Digital Marketing by local businesses. Its main focus is to help SMEs and micro-enterprises expand their market reach through Digital Marketing. GIATMARA has been selected as part of this program to assist TVET entrepreneur graduates in utilizing digital marketing, specifically in content creation.

MyFutureNow is designed to introduce fresh graduates to entrepreneurship as a viable avenue for income generation, while simultaneously refining their skills and attributes to enhance employability. The programme offers participants a dual pathway: building entrepreneurial mindsets and capabilities, while strengthening their readiness for the job market.

The Penjana Komuniti@SME Bank program is a corporate social responsibility initiative launched in 2020, aligned with the Ministry of Finance's efforts to stimulate economic activity for B40 micro-entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19. In line with the Government's aspirations, our program aims to help micro-businesses adopt digital marketing to expand their operations.

In this program, participants will explore the art of digital marketing on social media, combining knowledge of technical preparation, structured creative writing, and content marketing. Participants will learn about three major platforms in Malaysia: Facebook, Instagram, and Google. Through this program, participants will be able to develop digital marketing strategies to grow their businesses.