KUALA LUMPUR: SME Corp Malaysia wants women entrepreneurs to come to the fore as it continues to bolster the government's aspiration to elevate the development and growth of the country's small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The government agency hopes to see greater participation at its annual Enterprise 50 (E50) award programme this year. In his speech at the launch campaign for E50, SME Corp Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid said the agency hopes to see greater participation from women-owned SMEs.

"Women entrepreneurs in this country have undeniably marked their strong presence in the Malaysian business landscape with their remarkable successes, locally and globally, and growing contribution to the economy," he said in his speech today. The E50, an annual award programme to celebrate the achievements of Malaysia's SMEs, is accepting nominations for the awards from now until June 5.

The E50 Award 2016 Gala Dinner will be held on November 18, 2016, where the top 50 winners will be announced. Since its inception in 1997, the award has seen notable successes amongst its alumni of winners. One success story, singled out by Mohamed Al Amin, is Top Glove Corporation Bhd which has become the world's largest rubber glove manufacturer with a market capitalisation of RM6.7 billion.

He said Top Glove has become a dynamic role model whose enormous success continues to inspire many other businesses around the world. The prestigious E50 programme is supported by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and is jointly organised by SME Corp and Deloitte Malaysia.