Verify Your SME Status With the SME Status Registration System
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In March 2020, SME Corporation Malaysia developed the SME Status Registration System where companies can obtain the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) status certificate.
1. What is the SME Status Registration System?
The SME Status Registration System ensures that every SME that applies for government programmes or assistance fulfils the government's SME definition. Eligible companies can participate in government programmes and obtain assistance through agencies and ministries.
2. Is it compulsory for SMEs to obtain the SME Status Certificate?
The SME Status Certificate is not a requirement nor a mandatory regulation for SMEs to operate in Malaysia.
The SME Status Certificate is a status acknowledgement offered by SME Corp. Malaysia to facilitate SMEs in participating in government programmes or applying for assistance and incentives.
3. Why should I use the SME Status Registration System?
The SME Status Registration System makes the SME verification process more manageable by reducing the number of documents needed.
You can register and confirm the SME status for free. Once your company is endorsed with an SME status, you can download a digital certificate which costs RM100 and will be valid for two years.
Companies can also check the status of their business and apply for government assistance and incentives.
4. Does the SME Status Certificate automatically qualify a company to obtain government assistance or incentives?
The SME Status Certificate does not give SMEs automatic approval to participate in programmes or obtain assistance. Such programmes have other eligibility criteria that have to be fulfilled depending on the programme's objectives.
The purpose of the SME Status Certificate is to confirm the size of a company as an SME. Companies that have obtained the status are eligible to participate in programmes and receive assistance.
5. Who is eligible to sign up via the SME Status Registration System?
Business entities in all economic sectors that are registered with:
- The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM),
- Relevant business registration bodies or local authority (for Sabah and Sarawak),
- Statutory bodies (for professional service providers)
6. How do you register through the SME Status Registration System?
Companies can sign up HERE. The steps are pretty straightforward:
- Register a new account,
- Fill in the required information,
- Upload relevant documents,
- Confirm the declaration form and click the 'Submit' button.
7. What are the required documents?
There are four documents that you need to upload for Private Limited (Sdn Bhd) companies (business entities registered with the Registrar of Companies (ROC):
- Latest SSM Business Registration form,
- The latest copy of the Audited Account / Financial Statement of the previous year,
- The newest copy of EPF Form A,
- Proof share/equity holding of the company.
8. Is there a user manual for the registration?
You can find the User Manual in Bahasa Malaysia and English on the SME Status Registration System website.
9. What is the definition of an SME?
For manufacturing, the business's sales turnover must not exceed RM50 million OR full-employees must not exceed 200 workers.
For services and other sectors: The business's sales turnover must not exceed RM20 million OR full-time employees must not exceed 75 workers.
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A chart to determine a company's SME status.
A business can qualify as an SME if it meets either one of the two criteria. But, the following businesses are not considered as SMEs:
- Public listed companies on the main board, such as Bursa Malaysia or in other countries.
- Subsidiaries of these entities:
- Large firms,
- Publicly-listed companies on the main board,
- Multinational corporations,
- Government-linked companies,
- State-owned enterprises,
- Minister of Finance (Incorporated)
If you'd like to learn more about the definition of SME, you can read the Guideline for SME Definition.
10. Can companies registered less than a year ago proceed with the SME Status Registration?
The company can proceed with the SME Status registration and submit the same documents required.
The company is exempted from submitting the Audited Financial Statements but must provide the current Profit and Loss Statement or Management Account. If the company does not have either of the documents, it can provide a valid Bank Account Statement.
11. How much does a company need to pay to obtain the SME Status?
There is no charge for companies that only want to check whether they are classified as SMEs or not.
There is a charge of RM100 if a company wishes to obtain the SME Status Certificate online, which is valid for two years.
12. How long does it take to receive feedback for the application?
If the application submitted is complete, the company will receive feedback within ten working days.
For more information about the SME Status Registration, click here. You may also contact SME Corp at 1300-30-6000 between 9.00 am – 1.00 pm from Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can also email them at info@smecorp.gov.my.
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