MDEC and Ant International Team Up to Help Malaysian MSMEs Go Digital

Under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Ant International will support local MSMEs through EPOS, its all-in-one SME transformation platform from Antom, which provides a full range of digital solutions. MDEC will help by connecting with MSMEs, industry groups, and partners to encourage digital adoption across the country.

This partnership builds on MDEC’s ongoing work with Ant International to develop local talent and innovation through its global digital business centre in Kuala Lumpur, as part of the Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI).

Anuar Fariz Fadzil, CEO of MDEC said, “Digitalisation has become a fundamental requirement for MSMEs to stay competitive and resilient. Our deepened collaboration with Ant International directly supports Malaysia’s journey towards an AI Nation, ensuring that even the smallest enterprises can access modern, AI-enabled tools. By synergising global technology capabilities with Malaysia’s national priorities, we are empowering MSMEs to transform how they operate, strengthen their business foundations, and participate fully in the opportunities of the digital economy.”

MSMEs make up 97% of all businesses in Malaysia and form the backbone of the country’s economy. However, many struggle to adopt digital tools because of limited access, high costs, and lack of technical knowledge.

This partnership aims to close those gaps. Through EPOS, Ant International will combine its digital solutions and advanced AI technologies into one easy-to-use platform. EPOS integrates payments, digital banking, and growth tools specifically designed for MSMEs. Businesses can quickly access affordable and powerful solutions for online store management, operations, payments, and AI-driven productivity tools.

Merchants will also gain insights to make smarter decisions, run operations more efficiently, and expand their reach across online channels.

Retail and F&B businesses in particular, will benefit as they face rising labour costs, staffing challenges and higher customer expectations. With consumers increasingly preferring mobile and digital experiences, digitalisation is essential for businesses to stay competitive and grow.

Ian Cheong, CEO of EPOS, said: “Malaysian MSMEs are ambitious, resilient, and eager to grow, but they need the right tools to compete in an increasingly digital economy. MDEC has made great strides in supporting MSME digitalisation, and through EPOS, we can advance this national strategy even further. By making advanced technology accessible within minutes, so that even the smallest business can operate smarter, serve customers better, and scale with confidence, we can ensure no MSME is left behind.”

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