top of page

SME STATUS AND SME SCORE

What Is SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (SCORE)?

The SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (SCORE) is a diagnostic tool used by the SME Corp to rate and enhance the competitiveness of SMEs based on their performance and capabilities.

At first, SCORE was used for companies in the manufacturing sector to gauge the effectiveness of the grants companies received to develop their business performance. 

Various sub-sectors in Malaysia have accepted the SCORE process. The SCORE system has also been used as a tool for business matching purposes for better market access and initial indicator for purposes of access to finance.

 

SCORE

SCORE is a diagnostic tool that assigns star ratings to indicate the performance level of SMEs based on seven assessment criteria: 

  • Financial strength, 

  • Business performance, 

  • Human resource, 

  • Technology acquisition,

  • Technology adoption, 

  • Certification, and 

  • Market presence.

 

Objectives of SCORE

  • To acquire baseline data on SMEs

  • To evaluate and track SMEs capabilities and performance

  • To facilitate linkages of potential SMEs to large companies, government-linked companies (GLC) and hypermarkets

  • To link export-ready companies to MATRADE and MIDA

  • To ensure better fund utilisation and focus resources

 

Benefits of SCORE

SCORE has successfully secured strategic partnerships with bodies from diverse industries that can help and support SMEs in building their capacity and capabilities.

These are some of the benefits of SCORE:

  • A gateway to SME development programmes;

  • Facilitates linkages between SMEs and large companies / MNCs; and

  • Identifies export-ready companies for greater expansion and market access 

 

How SMECorp helps SMEs with SCORE

  • Addresses weaknesses of SMEs with a more focused approach and provide integrated, hand-holding assistance to SMEs;

  • Facilitates linkages of potential SMEs with large companies, MNCs, retailers; and

  • Aides SMEs in a better coordinated and structured form as SME Corp. can focus on improving the capacity building of 3-Star companies and below. Four and 5-Star companies can be groomed and launch into the international market.

 

Seven SME models in SCORE

  • Manufacturing & Manufacturing Related Services (MRS);

  • Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO);

  • Construction;

  • Professional Services (Construction Related Services);

  • Retail & Distributive Trade;

  • Information & Communication Technology (ICT); and

  • M-CORE for Start-Ups.

 

Critical Elements to the SCORE Assessment Process 

Evaluation Form: According to online assessment or printed copy submission. 

On-site Visit or SCORE Clinic: A trained SCORE auditor conducts a verification visit and offline interview.

Results: SCORE Star Rating and its diagnosis.

​

​

SME STATUS
SME status certificate copy.jpg

The SME Status Certificate is a status acknowledgement offered by SME Corp. Malaysia to facilitate businesses in participating in programmes or in applying for incentives, grants, facilities and assistance for SMEs. This certificate is not a requirement or mandatory regulation for operating businesses in Malaysia.

​

SME Definition

For the Manufacturing sector:

  • MEDIUM ENTERPRISE: Sales turnover: RM15 million to RM50 million OR Employees: From 75 to 200,

  • SMALL ENTERPRISE: Sales turnover: RM300,000 to RM15 million OR Employees: From 5 to 75,

  • MICRO ENTERPRISE: Sales turnover: Less than RM300,000 OR Employees: 5 and fewer.

 

For the Services and Other sectors

  • MEDIUM ENTERPRISE: Sales turnover: RM3 million to RM20 million OR Employees: From 30 to 75,

  • SMALL ENTERPRISE: Sales turnover: RM300,000 to RM3 million OR Employees: From 5 to 30,

  • MICRO ENTERPRISE: Sales turnover: Less than RM300,000 OR Employees: 5 and fewer.

 

SCORE Application Process

  1. Application by company.

  2. The application will be reviewed.

  3. SME Corp will arrange and conduct a site visit or interview. 

  4. Findings will be reviewed.

  5. SME Corp will issue the SCORE Result.

bottom of page