Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form a central part of Malaysia’s economy and play an important role in promoting inclusive and sustainable development. Specifically, women-led MSMEs can generate employment, promote poverty reduction, and contribute to domestic economic growth and global supply chains.
The APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership (ACGBP) is committed to supporting inclusive and gender-responsive growth for MSMEs in Malaysia. In collaboration with the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM) and Women of Will (WOW), with funding from the Government of Canada, APF Canada has launched two mentorship programs aimed at building capacity for women MSME entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
These programs match women entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who provide guidance tailored to the individual needs and interests of each mentee. Each mentoring session considers the mentee’s background, business model and learning style to deliver a truly personalized experience. By collaborating with NAWEM and WOW, APF Canada aims to deliver programs that are gender-responsive, culturally sensitive and relevant to the local context of women entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
WOW launched its mentorship program on July 14 with a kick-off session that welcomed mentors, mentees, WOW staff, and representatives from Monash University Malaysia, who are conducting a research study with participants of the program. In addition, Suwatthi Kandiah, APF Canada’s Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Coordinator, delivered welcome remarks on behalf of the ACGBP team. The event provided an opportunity for mentors and mentees to get to know each other, network and hear more about the program.
Since then, mentoring sessions have been at full speed. Ten mentees have been actively participating in the program through individual and group mentoring sessions in Kuala Lumpur and online. Early sessions provided the opportunity for mentors and mentees to set short-term goals, identify key challenges, and establish an action plan for the program. Highlights of topics covered in the sessions include business analysis and planning, leadership development and strategic decision-making. The program will run until December 2025, at which time it will wrap up with a graduation ceremony and site visit to a selected business.
Notably, WOW’s mentorship program will be the object of a study conducted in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia. The study will measure the success of the program through surveys, interviews, and a mixed-method analysis of participants’ knowledge prior to, during, and after participating in the program.
Meanwhile, NAWEM launched its mentorship program on June 30, with an onboarding session for mentors and mentees. The program, which will deliver personalized coaching to 26 mentees through November 2025, aims to strengthen MSME entrepreneurs’ capacity to apply best practices in business management, including sustainable business practices. The program fosters a community of practice among women MSME entrepreneurs through networking, peer-to-peer support, and group training.
NAWEM’s mentorship program builds upon its Business Management Workshop Series, delivered between May and October 2025, by offering continuity of learning and personalized support for selected participants. Past workshops addressed key topics in business management, including financial management, marketing, and strategic planning. The final session, scheduled to take place in October, will focus on environmental, social, and governance integration to support export and supply chain participation.
