Mohammad Hardee (standing, right) and Mohd Adli (standing, left) visiting a booth selling products created by individuals with autism during the bazaar at Menara SME Bank in Kuala Lumpur.
A bank has partnered with a homegrown social enterprise to champion inclusive entrepreneurship and promote community-based empowerment for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The collaboration between Small-Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) and Autism Cafe Project (ACP) also coincides with World Autism Month.
SME Bank acting group president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim emphasised the bank’s commitment to building a more diverse small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) ecosystem.
“We are proud to play a direct role in shaping a more equitable economy through our partnership with ACP, which is supported by National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom).
“It reflects 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, while making a difference in their lives,” he said.
The two-day event commenced with a session for SME Bank employees featuring speakers from ACP and Nasom.
The session was designed to deepen the bank employees’ awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with autism across all age groups.
This was followed by a one-day bazaar at Menara SME Bank, Kuala Lumpur, which highlighted the talents of entrepreneurs with autism showcasing a variety of products including food and beverages, handicraft, artwork and clothing.
The event also served as a platform to support these entrepreneurs pursuing their business goals, in line with efforts to promote greater economic empowerment and financial independence, according to a media statement by SME Bank.
ACP founder Mohd Adli Yahya 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 individuals with autism in 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,” said Mohd Adli.
In Malaysia, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises constitute 96.9% of all registered businesses and employ nearly half of the national workforce, according to SME Corp Malaysia data.
Concurrently, statistics from 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 an urgent need for inclusive initiatives that equip individuals on the autism spectrum with the skills, employment opportunities and entrepreneurial pathways necessary for greater independence.
