Uzir (left) presenting a souvenir to a trader in Sepang on Jan 6 in conjunction with the implementation of BE2026. – BERNAMApic
SEPANG: The informal sector, which includes hawkers, petty traders, food entrepreneurs and farmers’ market traders, is the primary focus of the Economic Census 2026 (BE2026), says chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
The census began on Monday (Jan 5) and will run until Oct 31.
Uzir said priority was given to the informal sector to ensure that economic activities which were previously difficult to track are not left out of the country’s official data.
"The census is progressing smoothly, and I would like to thank everyone who has collaborated.
"We remain on track, and yesterday alone we completed observations on data from about 5,000 respondents.
"In the initial stage of the census, we are targeting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and traders who do not have official accounts," he told reporters after observing the implementation of BE2026 at Medan Selera Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi here on Tuesday (Jan 6).
He said the initial stage of the census implementation was expected to cover about 300,000 respondents nationwide, comprising hawkers, petty traders, food entrepreneurs and micro businesses.
According to Uzir, the informal sector was now growing rapidly, driven by the use of social media and digital platforms, with many entrepreneurs running small businesses while actively generating income.
"Some conduct business informally, but social media is widely used. Even though their shops are small or mobile, they still contribute to the country’s economy," he said.
Asked if the census would also cover the gig economy, he said the sector, including influencers and content creators, was part of BE 2026 to provide a comprehensive picture of the country’s economy.
He added that the census had been strengthened with a new module on the digital economy and the use of technology to assess the level of digital adoption among micro and informal entrepreneurs.
Uzir said the data collected would be used as a basis for setting new benchmarks for the country’s economy, in addition to helping the government and relevant agencies formulate more accurate support policies for the informal sector.
"Through this data, we can identify supply gaps, the constraints faced and the real needs of small entrepreneurs so that assistance and policies are more targeted," he said.
BE2026 is the sixth census conducted in Malaysia since 2001.
It will use the 2025 Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification (MSIC), which includes five sectors, 17 sections, and 1,216 industries.
This updated classification reflects changes in the economy, including the rise of innovation-based industries, sustainable energy, information technology, and the digital economy.
In line with national development goals, BE2026 supports the implementation of key national policies, including the 13th Malaysia Plan, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the Digital Economy Agenda, Industry 4.0, the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and the Bumiputra Economic Strategic Plan 2035.
For the first time, the census will also include the informal sector, such as food vendors, market traders, small retail shops, transport operators, homestays, tuition centres, mobile micro businesses, and various support activities that significantly contribute to the local economy, especially in planned urban areas like Putrajaya. – Bernama
