The Hidden Cost of Non-Tariff Measures for Malaysia’s SMEs

SMEs are vital to Malaysia’s economy, but breaking into international markets remains challenging due to complex trade regulations and non-tariff measures (NTMs). These barriers, from health standards to labelling requirements, hit smaller firms hardest, limiting their ability to scale beyond borders. In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into the impact of NTMs on Malaysian SMEs, especially in sectors like food manufacturing, and discuss potential solutions for easing these restrictions.

Joining us is Professor Evelyn Devadason from the Faculty of Business and Economics at University Malaya, and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS). We’ll discuss policy reforms and the importance of harmonising trade regulations in the region, but also dive into why we should focus on supporting mid-sized companies and high-potential industries to go international, instead of SMEs.