The inaugural SME Market Expansion Showcase, officially presented to the business community today, brought together more than 30 curated businesses and serious industry visitors at CityStage @ KL City Walk, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. The event served not only as a marketplace but also as a comprehensive business growth platform where brands gained exposure, conducted direct sales, and formed strategic partnerships. Its core focus encompassed direct customer engagement, on-the-spot sales opportunities, industry forum sessions, and networking with key decision-makers, creating a dynamic environment for participants to learn, connect, and expand their businesses.

The one-day showcase attracted strong participation from SME owners, entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, decision-makers, as well as buyers and investors. A series of highly anticipated forum talks and panel discussions explored market expansion strategies, the adoption of artificial intelligence for digital growth, access to financing and grants, smart scaling approaches, and the sharing of entrepreneurial success stories. The event also provided attendees with direct access to founders and key decision-makers, enhancing opportunities for meaningful engagement and collaboration.


In her welcome address, Tanker Collaborative Director Janet New emphasised that SMEs are the backbone of the economy, noting that the showcase was designed to foster a meaningful ecosystem where entrepreneurs could gain funding insights, embrace digital transformation, prioritise health, and build strategic partnerships for sustainable success. She further highlighted the importance of maximising both booth presence and forum participation, adding that the true value of the event lies in active engagement. She encouraged exhibitors to present not just products but also solutions and collaborative opportunities, while urging visitors to approach each interaction with purpose and curiosity to strengthen the overall business ecosystem.

A key highlight of the forum sessions was the focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), particularly in measuring a company’s sustainability, ethical impact, and operational risks. Leading the discussion was Stacia Lim, Director for Corporate Governance, who provided in-depth insights into integrating ESG into SME strategies and explained why it has become a necessity rather than an option. She also outlined practical frameworks for adoption and noted that Malaysia’s National Sustainability Reporting Framework and the amended Bursa Malaysia Listing Requirements now include Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, with a phased mandatory implementation leading up to 1 January 2027, significantly reshaping obligations for suppliers and SMEs.



The ESG conversation was further expanded in a panel session featuring Lim, Shu Yi Kuek, founder of KPL Corporate Advisory Sdn. Bhd., and Alan Chin, Vice President of Group Sustainability and Strategic Partnerships at Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, moderated by Sally Yap of PeakJob Sdn Bhd. The session examined ESG in action, covering grants, tax incentives, compliance requirements, and green financing opportunities, while also presenting practical case studies and strategies for unlocking green loans. Lim emphasised that ESG adoption does not have to be costly and encouraged SMEs to begin with manageable steps, while Chin noted that sustainability should be viewed as a competitive advantage rather than merely a compliance requirement.

The discussion also highlighted Malaysia’s new incentive framework, effective from 1 March 2026, which introduces a more targeted and outcome-based approach, with ESG practices as a key eligibility criterion. The framework will initially apply to the manufacturing sector, with the timeline for the services sector to be announced later, and offers potential incentives of up to 15 years.

Other sessions included a health talk by Nutrition Consultant Dr. JC Wong from JC Lifestyle Coaching, who shared insights on maintaining heart health through proper dietary practices, including understanding good and bad fats, reducing harmful oils, adopting appropriate cooking methods, and managing cholesterol naturally. He later joined Dr. Anandarajah Shanmugam, co-founder of Healthy Lifestyle Solutions, in a panel discussion that explored heart disease beyond conventional medical and diagnostic approaches.


Marketing influencer Kien Lim, founder of Attitude Ideology, delivered a session on market expansion strategies for SMEs, covering entry into new markets, the use of digital channels, partnership models, and scaling without significant overheads. In the final panel session, Kien Lim was joined by Newspin Communication’s PR Director Marc Ng and Brand and Communication Consultant Clarence Koh to discuss content creation, public relations, social media, and the role of key opinion leaders in today’s attention economy. The session was moderated by Gina Woon, co-founder of Novela Boutique.

Throughout the day, exhibitors were given the opportunity to deliver 90-second introductions of their businesses during scheduled networking sessions, allowing them to showcase their offerings and connect with potential partners and clients.

The event was organised by Tanker Collaborative Sdn Bhd, a dynamic event and business activation company with operations in Malaysia and Hong Kong. The company specialises in large-scale showcases, corporate events, and market expansion platforms, designing and executing high-impact experiences that connect brands, businesses, and communities. Through curated exhibitions and strategic collaborations, Tanker drives visibility, engagement, and measurable commercial outcomes, serving as a growth enabler for SMEs and enterprises seeking to expand their reach across regional markets. With a strong focus on execution excellence and results, the company continues to deliver seamless, purpose-driven events that transform ideas into impactful business opportunities.