Singapore – Driven by the growing confidence in cross-border e-commerce and digital trade, the latest report from business and consulting services firm Deloitte revealed an increase in the adoption of artificial intelligence and branding investments among micro-multinational companies in Asia Pacific.
The report further found that 71% of the surveyed micro-MNCs remain positive about the future of cross-border e-commerce over the next year. This figure indicates an increasing confidence in market demand, the policy environment, and technological advances, with many firms expecting market expansion and substantial growth in sales and profits.
Interestingly, a broad consensus among the surveyed enterprises on the importance of brand was observed, noting approximately 88% of the respondents recognising the importance of brand power in sustaining long-term business growth.
Data from the findings also showed big data analysis will dominate the digital technology landscape among micro-MNCs, with 75% identifying it as the most prominent and widely utilised technology. This was followed by AI at 47%, indicating both crucial for business optimisation and enhancing customer experience.
Apart from this, technology applications in payment and settlement (20%) and risk management (18%) also highlighted the importance of security and stability for enterprises.
Cheng Zhong, managing partner of technology, media, and telecommunications industry, Deloitte China, said, “Digital trade enterprises are leveraging leading-edge digital technologies such as big data analytics, AI, IoT, and cloud computing to forge innovative business models and value chains, enriching the global marketplace with a broader spectrum of goods and services.”
“Moreover, digital platforms—represented by cross-border e-commerce—are transcending space and time, fostering seamless collaboration across the global value chain,” added Zhong.
Lydia Chen, China research partner at Deloitte, also shared, “The vast majority of SMEs are making a pivotal shift into cross-border e-commerce, leveraging platform enterprises, their expansive international service ecosystems, and digital technologies.”
Meanwhile, Clara Shi, CEO at WorldFirst, remarked, “WorldFirst is proud to collaborate with Deloitte to explore the opportunities and challenges confronting today’s micro multinationals. This report’s findings are designed to better support SMEs across APAC—key drivers of regional economic growth and employment—in leveraging the vast potential of cross-border digital trade.”
This report titled ‘Going Global: Seizing the Next Great Opportunity in Digital Trade’ was conducted in collaboration with WorldFirst.
