Kuala Lumpur (VNA)𒊎 — Malaysia is stepping up efforts to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopt digital technologies, recognising digitalisation as a key driver of efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term sustainable growth.

The priority is outlined in the country’s 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Digital adoption is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for MSMEs to survive and grow amid fast-changing business conditions. Mohd Azamanizam Baharon, President of the Malay Entrepreneurs and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (PERDASAMA), said digital tools such as point-of-sale systems, automated accounting, cloud-based inventory management, and customer relationship management (CRM) applications have streamlined MSME operations and improved accuracy. E-commerce platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, along with social media channels such as Instagram and Facebook, have enabled MSMEs to reach wider markets beyond geographical boundaries. These platforms also provide access to user data, market trend analysis, and customer feedback, helping businesses refine strategies and compete both domestically and globally. Digitalisation has also reduced operating costs by automating labour-intensive tasks, optimising logistics, and improving inventory tracking. Digital invoicing and e-payments save time and expenses on printing, postage, and manual cash handling, while digital marketing is more cost-effective than traditional advertising. AI and data analytics allow MSMEs to forecast demand and avoid resource waste. Under 13MP, MSMEs are seen as a key driver of Malaysia’s socio-economic development through 2030, with targets to increase their GDP contribution and create 700,000 new manufacturing jobs and 500,000 in the digital economy. The plan centres on three strategies, with AI and advanced technologies as the core driver to move the economy up the value chain. Azlan Zainal Abidin, CEO of digital solutions provider Awantec, called digital transformation a catalyst for MSME growth. Cloud and AI technologies give small businesses access to advanced, affordable tools, enabling rapid and efficient scaling, such as deploying e-invoicing./.