22 January 2016
Malaysian small businesses strong, focused on innovation
New survey data released today by CPA Australia shows Malaysia’s small business sector is one of the best
performing in the Asia-Pacific, with a strong focus on innovation, e-commerce and social media.
The findings, from CPA Australia’s annual Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey, follow extensive surveying of nearly
3,000 small business operators in Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and
Malaysia,
CPA Australia chief executive Alex Malley says the survey results show that there is much for Malaysian small
businesses to be positive about.
“Malaysia’s small business sector has had a strong 12 months, with 69 per cent of respondents reporting that they
grew over this period,” Malley says.
“Looking to 2016, the results are even more positive with 70 per cent of small businesses expecting to grow in the
year ahead, an increase of 10 percentage points from last year’s survey.
“The survey reveals strong indicators that the small business sector is optimistic about their own business and their
heavy focus on innovation, e-commerce and exporting, means they are well placed for future growth.
“This optimism is encouraging, coming as it does at a time of economic challenges, with external factors such as
slowing growth in China, weak recoveries in the economies of the US, Japan and the Euro area and weak
commodity prices.
“The positive outlook which Malaysia’s small business have is translating into jobs, with 47 per cent of Malaysia’s
small businesses forecasting they will increase employee numbers in the next 12 months.
“The Malaysian government has done much to encourage a culture of innovation and entrepreneurialism, with
policy developments such as equity crowd funding.
“With survey results demonstrating that small businesses are innovating, growing their e-commerce presence and
exporting – making them significantly more likely to grow and create jobs – it’s clear that the Government’s policy
approach is the right one, and should help to offset any temporary fall in confidence.”
Key findings from the survey for Malaysia include:
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29 per cent of respondents definitely expect to innovate through the introduction of a new product, service
or process, compared with the survey average of 22 per cent
35 per cent of respondents expect to grow their e-commerce presence to a large extent, compared with the
survey average of 32 per cent
73 per cent of respondents earned revenue from online sales, compared with the survey average of 69 per
cent
The CPA Australia Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey provides annual insights into the views of small businesses
across the region and forms part of a longitudinal study that began in 2009.
Survey available at www.cpaaustralia.com.au. For a snap shot of results click here. For full report click here.
-ENDS-
Media contact: Stuart Dignam on +61 434 003 911 or [email protected]