MARA Eyes RM1 Billion Sales From Bumiputera Automotive Sector Next Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 – Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) is targeting RM1 billion in sales next year from Bumiputera automotive entrepreneurs operating under its development programmes.

MARA Chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki stated that the ambitious target is driven by the strong performance of entrepreneurs participating in the MARA Automotive Ecosystem (MATEC) and various strategic industry partnerships.

“To date, MARA has produced 534 automotive entrepreneurs, representing 15.3 per cent of total participation in the Bumiputera automotive ecosystem nationwide. We have also created more than 2,400 jobs, with current sales exceeding RM690 million,” Asyraf Wajdi said during the pre-launch of MATEC 2026 on Wednesday.

MATEC 2026 Event Highlights

MATEC 2026 is scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29 at the National Stadium grounds in Bukit Jalil. The event aims to expose local entrepreneurs to emerging technologies and international market opportunities.

Key expectations and themes for the upcoming exhibition include:

• Visitor Target: Over 300,000 visitors expected, doubling the 150,000 recorded in the previous edition.
• Exhibitors: More than 200 exhibitors participating across various automotive subsectors.
• Core Pillars: Focused on three main aspirations: Future Automotive, TVET Excellence, and Electric Mobility.

Strengthening the Automotive Pipeline From TVET to Enterprise

Asyraf Wajdi emphasized MARA’s commitment to reinforcing the local automotive ecosystem holistically, connecting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) directly with financing and high-growth business development.

Out of MARA’s 345 educational institutions nationwide, 270 focus on TVET, with 30 per cent specifically dedicated to automotive disciplines.

To address long-term operational challenges faced by Bumiputera workshop owners—who frequently encounter hurdles after five to eight years in business—MARA is prioritizing financial and management training. This includes strategic initiatives like the MARA-PETRONAS Automotive Entrepreneur Development (PUMP) programme to ensure long-term business sustainability.

–NMT