Milestone Launch with Strategic MOU Signing
Malaysia is the first market to activate the MSME Co-Lab, acknowledging the strength and diversity of its local business community. In conjunction with the launch, Shopee signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Advokasi Perusahaan dan Industri (API) to initiate deeper engagement with ecosystem partners.
A Platform to Listen, Learn and Collaborate
Shopee’s Country Director, Saovanee Chan-Somchit, explained that the MSME Co-Lab reflects the platform’s commitment to co-develop meaningful solutions with entrepreneurs.
“The Shopee MSME Co-Lab is part of our ongoing commitment to listen, learn, and work more closely with MSMEs to build a more inclusive and supportive digital ecosystem,” she said.
The initiative also supports national efforts such as the MADANI Economy Framework and Budget 2025, aligning digitalisation goals with Malaysia’s broader development agenda.
Core Components of the MSME Co-Lab
The programme offers a multi-pronged approach:
- Strategic Dialogues and Insights: Industry discussions to explore trends, share challenges, and identify opportunities for MSMEs.
- Innovation Previews and Feedback Loops: Selected MSMEs will get early access to new features and tools, offering feedback to shape platform improvements.
- Collaborative Partnerships: The platform may also serve as a launchpad for joint initiatives that address community-wide needs.
“This collaboration with Shopee allows us to bring the voices and needs of MSMEs directly into the room with decision-makers and platform innovators,” said Dato’ Fazli Nordin, Managing Director of API.
Commitment to Sustainable Growth in Malaysia and Beyond
Shopee views the Co-Lab as a continuation of its efforts to support local businesses, from capacity building to platform enhancements and ecosystem engagement.
“Our vision is to be more than a platform–we want to be an active partner in shaping what’s next for MSMEs,” Saovanee added.
Looking ahead, Shopee will continue onboarding more partners under the Co-Lab, using ongoing engagements to guide the programme’s evolution. The initiative is set to shape future strategies not only in Malaysia but potentially across the region.