Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysia Banking Berhad has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with TikTok Shop Malaysia to jointly introduce the Asean SME Upskilling and Digitalisation Programme. This initiative is designed to support small and medium enterprises in adopting digital commerce and scaling their businesses.
The pilot programme, which includes webinars, workshops, and a six-month accelerator plan, will also roll out in Malaysia next month, according to Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar, Group CEO of Community Financial Services.
He further stated, “Through this programme, we aim to leverage the strengths of both Maybank and TikTok Shop to empower entrepreneurs across the region with the knowledge, insights, skills, and tools needed to future-proof their businesses, regardless of their stage of growth.
“Participants will gain hands-on experience in adopting digital solutions, leveraging content-driven e-commerce, and optimising account management techniques — all crucial for long-term business growth and success,” Ahmad further shared.
Ahmad also emphasised that the pilot batch in Malaysia will focus on empowering women entrepreneurs, reinforcing the bank’s HERpower initiative.
The HERpower initiative aims to empower women entrepreneurs by providing financial solutions, mentorship, and business development support, with the goal of closing funding gaps, increasing opportunities, and fostering economic inclusion.
He further remarked, “Women-led SMEs make up 20% of all SMEs in Malaysia but continue to face barriers in accessing funding and expanding their businesses.”
“As such, the first Malaysian cohort of the accelerator plan will be reserved for women entrepreneurs,” he said, adding that Maybank aims to increase women-led SMEs from 20% to at least 25% by 2026,” continued Ahmad.
Commenting about the endeavour, Nur Azre Abdul Aziz, director of strategic partnerships at TikTok Shop Malaysia, also said, “An example is an SME we supported that started at a night market, expanded online, established a physical store, and was later featured by us at the Asean Investment and Business Summit. So, it is also about expanding their capability from local to global.”
