Alibaba, Matrade, MDEC help Malaysian SMEs to export online

• Aims at equiping up to 1,000 SMEs by end 2021
• To commence in Oct 2021 through to Dec 2021

Alibaba.com has launched its Pandemic Recovery Support Programme in collaboration with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), to equip up to 1,000 SMEs by the end of 2021.

In a joint statement, the parties said the programme would provide participants with complimentary access to the Alibaba.com Seller Training E-Course (ASTE) to fast-track their onboarding process.

Designed for suppliers new to the Alibaba.com platform, the company said ASTE is an intensive two-day online training program that offers 12 hours of online classroom sessions in four modules as well as guidance from experts and experienced online sellers.

In addition to the complimentary ASTE training, which is worth USD2,000 (RM8,300) and originally only open to Alibaba.com's paying members, Alibaba.com will offer further benefits to participating SMEs upon completion of the programme, it said.

These include discounts on membership and onboarding service packages, up to US$500 (RM2,050) keyword advertising credit and a free Value-Added Services (VAS) voucher worth USD600 (RM2,500).

Stephen Kuo, head of Asia Pacific, Alibaba.com said with the global B2B e-commerce market valued at US$23.9 trillion and growing, the company wants to help local SMEs get prepared for the shift of global trade towards e-commerce and emerge stronger from the pandemic. 

“Thankfully, Malaysian businesses are well placed to leverage cross-border opportunities given the established infrastructure available here, including the very first Electronic World Trade Platform Hub outside of China.

“ASTE aims to help lower the barrier for SMEs to get online. We have also been working with our local channel partners to provide support to our sellers through hands-on assistance, knowledge-sharing webinars and expert insights.

“Together with MATRADE and MDEC, I am confident that the Program will help SMEs better future proof themselves and expand their business overseas,” Kuo said.

Matrade’s deputy chief executive officer, Abu Bakar Yusof said the agency is committed in helping Malaysian SMEs to make full use of the export facilitations available on cross border e-commerce. 

“To further facilitate their cross border e-commerce onboarding process, SMEs can tap into the RM5,000 under the eTRADE 2.0. Onboarding Scheme.

“Additionally, companies that are already in the e-commerce space can leverage on the Digital Marketing & Training (DMT) Scheme of up to RM20,000 to further enhance their visibility and branding in cross-border e-commerce,” he added.

Mahadhir Aziz, chief executive officer of MDEC said Malaysian companies must seize these export opportunities due to the shift in consumer’s buying behaviour worldwide. 

“Through this effort, local businesses will be further empowered to increase their capabilities as well as expanding market access to enable them to obtain new sources of revenues, reflecting the government’s intent under the PEMULIH economic recovery programme as well as achieving the goals of MyDigital,” he added. 

The Alibaba.com Pandemic Recovery Support Program is open to Malaysian SMEs across multiple industries – from food and beverage, agriculture to timber and consumer electronics.

Training under the programme will commence in October 2021 and continue through to December 2021. An e-certificate of completion will be awarded to participants who complete all the training modules.

Interested SMEs can register for Open Day sessions on 7th or 13th October 2021 and the program here.