KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as the 2025 Asean Chair, is hosting the eighth Asean Inclusive Business Forum, a platform aimed at highlighting successful inclusive business models and promoting greater collaboration among enterprises across the region.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the forum is designed not only to showcase outstanding inclusive businesses but also to raise awareness on how they differ from conventional enterprises.
“Unlike traditional businesses that purely maximise profit, inclusive businesses integrate underserved communities—such as the poor, single mothers, marginalised groups and rural farmers—into their supply chains as workers or suppliers,” he said.
He cited examples such as restaurants sourcing vegetables directly from smallholder farmers, social enterprises hiring B40 workers from public housing areas, or companies setting up solar solutions for communities with limited electricity access.
“Inclusive business also means producing products or services and offering them at affordable prices to communities in need, especially those who require essential goods but cannot otherwise afford them. These models uplift livelihoods, reduce poverty and indirectly ease the government’s subsidy burden,” Khairul added.
He said that the forum serves as a crucial networking platform where inclusive businesses can explore regional opportunities and even market their products digitally to countries like Cambodia and Vietnam.
Addressing concerns that small businesses may feel unprepared to adopt inclusive models, Khairul assured that the ministry is ready to provide guidance and certification.
“Inclusive businesses and social enterprises can register with Kuskop to gain formal recognition, including tax incentives from the Finance Ministry. They will also undergo audits every two years to ensure compliance,” he said.
He urged local entrepreneurs not to miss the opportunity, noting that inclusive business not only supports community development but also opens doors to regional markets.
The three-day forum, held at Sunway Resort City, features 60 Malaysian inclusive businesses and social enterprises alongside 20 international participants from Asean countries. Their showcases are open to the public, offering firsthand insights into how inclusive businesses operate and create social impact.
Senior Asean government officials are also presenting policy papers on inclusive business-related opportunities, regulations and regional collaboration.
The highlight of the event will be a gala dinner attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, where the Asean Inclusive Business Awards will be presented to outstanding enterprises driving social impact across the region.
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