Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (“SME Bank”) has partnered with The Autism Cafe Project (“ACP”), a homegrown social enterprise supported by the National Autism Society of Malaysia (“NASOM”), in a Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) initiative to champion inclusive entrepreneurship and promote community-based empowerment for individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”). This meaningful collaboration also coincides with the celebration of World Autism Month 2025.
Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group President and Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to building a more diverse SME ecosystem – aligning with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (“MEDC”) agenda which also places emphasis on this segment under the Ministry’s ‘Kumpulan Fokus Khas’.
“We are proud to play a direct role in shaping a more equitable economy through our partnership with ACP and supported by NASOM – reflecting our dedication to empowering entrepreneurs, including individuals with autism. It aligns closely with SME Bank’s sustainability journey and our vision to create meaningful value within the SME ecosystem—not only through financial services, but also by uplifting unserved and underserved communities, ensuring equal opportunities for all. By offering tools, guidance, and encouragement, we hope to be able to help them achieve financial independence, whilst making a difference in their lives,” Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim elaborated.
A recent two-day event commenced with an Awareness Sharing Session for SME Bank employees, featuring speakers from ACP and NASOM. The session was designed to deepen employees’ understanding of autistic individuals across all age groups—children, youth, and adults. This was followed by a one-day bazaar at Menara SME Bank, which highlighted the talents of autistics entrepreneurs through a variety of offerings, including food and beverages, handicrafts, artwork, and clothing. The event also served as a platform to support these entrepreneurs in pursuing their business goals, supported by employees of SME Bank, in line with ongoing efforts to promote greater economic empowerment and financial independence.
Mohd Adli Yahya, Founder of ACP, lauded SME Bank for its proactive role in raising awareness about individuals living with autism and promoting an inclusive society. “Empowering autistic individuals through entrepreneurship goes beyond income generation—it fosters dignity, inclusion, and meaningful participation in society. Together with SME Bank, we are helping to break down social barriers, normalise the integration of more autistic individuals in the society, and build stronger, more compassionate communities. This partnership not only supports individuals with autism but also drives broader societal change by promoting a more inclusive and resilient economic landscape.”
In Malaysia, micro, small, and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”) constitute 96.9% of all registered businesses and employ nearly half of the national workforce based on data from SME Corp Malaysia. Concurrently, statistics from the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy reveal a significant rise of over 663% in autism diagnoses between 2013 and 2023, with registered cases increasing from 6,991 to 53,323. This sharp increase underscores the urgent need for inclusive initiatives that equip individuals on the autism spectrum with the skills, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial pathways necessary for greater independence.
From empowering underserved entrepreneurs to supporting local education and sustainability efforts, SME Bank is making an impact in communities nationwide. Stay updated with the latest initiatives, success stories, and community outreach programmes on SME Bank’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.