KUALA LUMPUR, 12 September 2025 — The Eighth ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum 2025 concluded today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, underscoring ASEAN’s commitment in driving inclusivity and sustainability across the region’s economic landscape. The two-day event, held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, brought together government officials, business leaders, investors, civil society representatives, and development partners to discuss progress and chart future pathways for inclusive business models that empower underserved communities, including the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Since the adoption of the ASEAN Inclusive Business Framework in 2017, ASEAN has continuously advanced initiatives to embed inclusive business practices across member states. Building on prior milestones such as the Guidelines for the Promotion of Inclusive Business in ASEAN (2020), and the Model Framework for an Inclusive Business Accreditation System in ASEAN (2024), this year’s forum marked a significant step in mainstreaming inclusive business through capacity building and talent development. Central to the forum was the official launch of the Capacity Building and Talent Development Framework for Inclusive Business in ASEAN designed to support ASEAN Member States in enhancing the abilities of businesses and communities to embrace inclusive business models effectively and sustainably.
The forum featured high-level policy dialogues, panel discussions, and success stories, catalytic role of government, innovative financing mechanisms, women-led enterprises, and the integration of social enterprises into inclusive business value chains. Participants explored strategies to scale up inclusive business initiatives, improve access to finance and impact investment, and empowerment of women entrepreneurs. The sessions showcased ongoing regional efforts and best practices, including national initiatives in Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, and Viet Nam, reflecting ASEAN’s collective commitment to a people-centred and resilient economic future.
In recognition of outstanding contributions, the ASEAN Inclusive Business Awards 2025 were presented during the prestigious Gala Dinner, honouring businesses from across ASEAN that have successfully integrated inclusive and sustainable business models that positively impact low-income and marginalised communities. This year also introduced two special awards, the Inclusivity Special Award and the Sustainability Special Award, reflecting ASEAN’s deepening focus on socially and environmentally responsible business growth.
In conjunction with the forum, the ASEAN Inclusive Business and Social Enterprise Showcase 2025 was held, featuring a variety of inclusive business and social enterprise exhibiting and selling their unique products and services. Each business shared compelling stories about the positive impact they create within communities. This showcase offered the public an engaging opportunity to learn about inclusive business and social enterprise while supporting these enterprises through their purchases.
The Chair of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Wittawat Lamsam, Director of International Cooperation Department, The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), Thailand said, “Inclusivity and sustainability are not parallel tracks; they are intertwined pathways leading to a stronger, fairer, and greener ASEAN. Through inclusive business models, we can integrate low-income communities into value chains while safeguarding our planet’s future. The ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum is a vital platform to turn this vision into reality.”
In her opening remarks, Amal Chevreau, Head of the Social Economy and Innovation Unit at Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said, “Inclusive businesses and social enterprises show that doing good is also good for business. They are poised to play a major role in ASEAN’s economic growth—creating jobs, building skills, and expanding access to goods and services. By integrating low-income communities into value chains, they help ensure that growth is not only fast, but also fair; not only strong, but also sustainable. Through its Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP), OECD instruments, and best policy practices, the OECD stands alongside ASEAN in advancing this journey.”
“The challenge before us is to scale up inclusive business models and also to ensure the private sector delivers economic development that is not only inclusive but sustainable,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Right Hon. Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Hon. Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development emphasized the significance of fostering strong government-business collaboration to ensure no one is left behind in ASEAN’s economic progress. He reaffirmed Malaysia’s role in advancing inclusive business as part of its 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), aiming to deepen private sector engagement and address socio-economic imbalances through innovative models that generate equitable growth and sustainable development.
The forum was co-organised by the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, Malaysia, ESCAP, OECD, and the ASEAN Secretariat. This was also made possible with the support from SME Corp. Malaysia, SME Bank Malaysia, Institut Keusahawanan Negara (INSKEN), ASEAN-Japan Centre, Oxfam and TikTok Shop. The ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum is an annual activity of the ACCMSME in the implementation of the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016 – 2025.
The Eighth ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum 2025 has reinforced ASEAN’s leadership and collective resolve to build an inclusive and sustainable future for all, ensuring that no community or entrepreneur is left behind.