More than 6,500 small and medium-sized enterprises have been registered through the Small Business Bureau over the past six years, with government reporting encouraging survival rates among businesses receiving support.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues says expanded business clinics are also helping more entrepreneurs formalise and grow their operations.

The Bureau has also been monitoring businesses to assess their progress, with 75 percent of those visited over the past five years still in operation.

“They have visited in the last five years, 7,801 visits to small businesses. 75% of them remain in operation. So this goes to show about how well our small business owners are operating. It shows the level of seriousness at which they are conducting their businesses,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the government’s revamped business clinics are attracting significantly more entrepreneurs seeking assistance with registration, regulatory compliance and business development.

The number of businesses reached has climbed from 140 in 2024 to 170 in 2025, and 739 so far in 2026.

“It’s a level of interest in small business development and in entrepreneurs really taking advantage or making use of every single opportunity to get their documents in order to streamline their businesses and to get as much advice and help as possible in growing their businesses,” Minister Rodrigues said.

Rodrigues says the focus is on moving beyond business registration to ensuringentrepreneurs have the technical support and guidance needed to build sustainable enterprises and expand their operations.