KUALA LUMPUR: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) has joined forces with The Autism Cafe Project (ACP), a homegrown social enterprise supported by the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The collaboration aims to champion inclusive entrepreneurship and promote community-based empowerment for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“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,” SME Bank acting group president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim said in a statement.
“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,” he added.
Meanwhile, ACP founder Mohd Adli Yahya said: "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,” he said.
In Malaysia, micro, small, and medium enterprises 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.
