The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Ant International have announced a strengthened partnership to accelerate the digital transformation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Malaysia.
Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Ant International will provide local MSMEs with EPOS, its all-in-one SME transformation platform within Antom. EPOS offers an integrated suite of digitalisation solutions, including payments, digital banking, operations management, online store deployment, and AI-powered productivity tools. MDEC will support the programme by engaging the MSME community, industry associations, and ecosystem partners to drive nationwide digital adoption.
This initiative builds on MDEC’s ongoing collaboration with Ant International through its Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI), which fosters local talent and innovation development via Ant International’s global digital business centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Driving Digital Inclusion for Malaysian MSMEs
MSMEs form the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, representing 97% of all business establishments, yet many struggle with digital adoption due to limited access, cost barriers, and lack of technical knowledge.
Through EPOS, Ant International aims to bridge these gaps by unifying digital solutions and AI technologies into a single, easy-to-use platform. MSMEs will benefit from:
- Seamless payments and digital banking solutions
- Multi-channel online store deployment
- Operations management tools
- AI-powered business insights to optimize productivity and decision-making
Retail and F&B merchants, in particular, can leverage these tools to reduce labour costs, improve operational efficiency, and meet rising customer expectations for digital experiences.
“Malaysian MSMEs are ambitious, resilient, and eager to grow, but they need the right tools to compete in an increasingly digital economy,” said Ian Cheong, CEO of EPOS. “EPOS makes advanced technology accessible within minutes, enabling even the smallest businesses to operate smarter, serve customers better, and scale with confidence.”
Synergy with National Digitalisation Strategy
MDEC, as the lead agency for Malaysia’s transformation into an innovation-led digital economy, will spearhead initiatives to maximize the reach and impact of this partnership. Key activities will include:
- Workshops and training sessions to raise digital awareness and literacy among SMEs
- Co-developed programs to facilitate adoption of digital solutions
- Alignment with national digitalisation strategies to ensure broad and sustained impact
“Digitalisation has become a fundamental requirement for MSMEs to stay competitive and resilient,” said Anuar Fariz Fadzil, CEO of MDEC. “Our collaboration with Ant International ensures even the smallest enterprises can access modern, AI-enabled tools, transforming how they operate and participate fully in the digital economy.”
Empowering MSMEs for the Future
This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to inclusive growth and digital empowerment for Malaysian MSMEs. By providing affordable, accessible, and intelligent digital solutions, MDEC and Ant International are enabling businesses to:
- Operate efficiently in a digital-first world
- Make data-driven decisions
- Expand reach and scale sustainably
- Stay competitive in rapidly evolving markets
With EPOS and MDEC’s ecosystem support, Malaysian MSMEs are better positioned to embrace digitalisation, enhance operational efficiency, and unlock new growth opportunities.