US-ASEAN Business Alliance for Competitive SMEs Events

The Business Alliance has held more than 40 events since its inception, reaching more than 6000 entrepreneurs in all 10 ASEAN countries. These events aim to assist ASEAN SMEs to be more competitive, more internationalized, and able to be part of the global and regional value chains.

Use the Country filter to see events from specific countries.

“Advancing the Competitiveness of Philippines’ Start-ups”

Location: Philippines

Date: October 14, 2021

Participants: 250 – 300 (Zoom), 898 (Facebook Live views as of October 25)

Partner: Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, QBO

Overview: On October 14, 2021, there are around 250 – 300 owners and executives of the Philippines start-ups participated in the workshop titled, “Advancing the Competitiveness of Philippines’ Start-ups”. The workshop was a collaborative event between the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Philippines, and QBO which aimed to empower Filipino start-ups to be enhance their competitiveness in this digital age. The workshop was divided into two-panel sessions and one breakout room session. The first-panel session focused on discussion around policy update on Join Administrative Order – Innovative Startup Act. In the second panel session, the discussion focused at topic on building a strong and innovative start-ups community in the Philippines. Lastly, the workshop provided breakout sessions which divided into two topics: 1) Challenges and opportunities to strengthen the Philippines start-ups; 2) Identify start-ups’ needs and “wish list” to thrive during and after COVID19.

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“Supporting Thailand SMEs’ Digitalization Amid COVID-19”

Location: Thailand

Date: August 31, 2021

Participants: 160 (Zoom), 221 (Facebook Live views as of September 6)

Partner: Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) Thailand

Overview: More than 150 owners and executives of Thailand Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participated in the webinar titled, “Supporting Thailand SMEs’ Digitalization Amid COVID-19” on August 31, 2021. The webinar was a collaborative event between the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) and the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (OSMEP) Thailand which aimed to empower Thai SMEs to be more digitally competitive in the COVID-19 crisis. The first panel session focused on measures by the Thai government to support SMEs and promote several programs in ASEAN for Thai SMEs featuring Dr. Wimonkan Kosumas, Deputy Director-General of OSMEP, Mr. Wittawat Lamsam, Director of International Cooperation Department of OSMEP, and Ms. Nugraheni Utami, Manager – SME Initiatives of US-ABC. In the second panel session, Facebook had a fireside chat between Ms. Sudaporn Woraporn, Director of Tourism Marketing Learning Division of TAT and Ms. Ing Sirikulbordee, Public Policy Manager, Facebook Thailand. It was followed by a training session from Ms. Amp Vajrabhaya, Client Partner, Facebook Thailand who presented how to maximize online business for SMEs and building a strong digital presence. Next, in the Visa session, Ms, Sirirat Thiengtham, Senior Director of Merchant, Sales and Acquiring, Visa Thailand, shared digital payments can be a solution and help SMEs to transform their business online. Finally, Dr. Suthikorn Kingkaew ended the webinar session by introducing the latest initiative called The Innovator Platform which supports small businesses to be more creative and competitive to build their business.

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“Enabling Digital Capabilities of Malaysian SMEs Through the COVID-19 Crisis”

Location: Malaysia

Date: July 15, 2021

Participants: 219

Partner: SME Corp. Malaysia

Overview: More than 200 owners and executives of Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participated in the webinar session titled, “Enabling Digital Capabilities of Malaysian SMEs through the COVID-19 Crisis”. Ambassador Michael Michalak, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the Council, began the webinar by delivering his opening remarks. And the webinar was officially opened by YBhg. Dato’ Suriani binti Dato Ahmad, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Chair of ASEAN Coordinating Committee of MSME (ACCMSME) 2021. The webinar began with its first session by SME Corp. on its Malaysia Program Socialization, presented by Mr. Amrul Nazri Abdullah, Director of International Cooperation Division of SME Corp. During the second session, Visa presented on Digital Payments for SME and invited VLAN Technology, who shared his story in founding and managing his company and insights he has for SMEs in transitioning to digitalization. In the third session, Amb. Michalak moderated a fireside chat with Ms. Surina Shukri, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, where they discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the trajectory of Malaysia’s SME digital transformation agenda and the national eCommerce landscape and share her experience and advice on becoming successful as a women CEO in the industry. Lastly, the fourth session was hosted by Mr. Eric Lee, Public Policy Manager of Malaysia & Brunei Facebook on Harnessing E-Commerce to Expand your Businesses. The video presentation was by Mr. Justin Murugaya, Acting Country Director of Malaysia Facebook where he spoke about Mega Sales Day having evolved beyond a discount-driven activity, to a cultural moment that presents new brand-building opportunities.

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“Advancing Greater Participation by Vietnam SMEs in the Digital Economy Era”

Location: Vietnam

Date: March 29, 2021

Participants: 102 (Zoom), 50 (YouTube Live Views as of March 30)

Partner: Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunication Groups (VNPT)

Overview: Around 100 owners and executives of Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participated in the webinar session titled, “Advancing Greater Participation by Vietnam SMEs in the Digital Economy Era”. Hosted and moderated by Ms. Bui Kim Thuy, Senior Country Representative Vietnam, US-ASEAN Business Council (the Council), the webinar was officially opened by Ambassador Michael Michalak, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the Council, followed by a remark by Ms. Bui Thu Thuy, Deputy Director-General Agency for Enterprise Development, Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). The webinar began with a keynote address from Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Quyenof MPI who shared MPI’s program on Supporting Enterprises’ Digital Transformation 2021-2025. And it followed with a presentation from the Council’s members, Visa and Amazon. Lastly, Mr. Dang Duy Khanh, Director Digital Transformation SME Project, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunication Groups (VNPT) explained their program to support digital transformation for SMEs.

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“Enabling Digital Transformation for Myanmar SMEs during COVID-19”

Location: Myanmar

Date: January 15, 2021

Participants: 420 (Zoom), 1.6k (Facebook Live views as of January 18)

Partner: Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Industry of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Overview: More than 400 owners and executives of Myanmar Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participated in the webinar session titled, “Enabling Digital Transformation for Myanmar SMEs during COVID-19.” Hosted and moderated by Jack Myint, Manager –Cambodia, Defense & Security, Infrastructure, Myanmar, Public Relations, the US-ASEAN Business Council (the Council). The webinar was officially opened by Ambassador Michael Michalak, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the Council, Dr. Min Ye Paing Hein, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Industry of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (MOPFI), U Zaw Min Win, President of The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI). In the first session, Director General Daw Aye Aye Win of MOPFI presented about the Myanmar Government’s policy to prepare Myanmar SMEs to face the COVID-19. It was followed by a presentation from Permanent Secretary U Minn Minn of the Ministry of Commerce about the digitalization plan for SMEs to enable digital trade and e-commerce for Myanmar SMEs. In the second session, Deputy Director-General Daw Khaing Shwe War of Central Bank explained Myanmar’s national payment system strategy to support SMEs. The second speaker, Deputy Director U Yan Naung Soe of the Ministry of Transport and Communication discussed the cybersecurity issues for SMEs when going online. Lastly, Mastercard Country Manager Thailand and Myanmar, Aileen Chew, explained the importance of the digital economy and sharing the benefits of digital payments to help SMEs during COVID-19.

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“Adjustment for Adaptation – New Direction and Opportunities”

Location: Vietnam

Date: November 19, 2020

Participants: 150 (in-person participants), 50 (virtual participants)

Partner: Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council

Overview: On November 19, the US-ASEAN Business Council with the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC) conducted the first hybrid workshop program for Vietnam SMEs. The event was part of a broader webinar series in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Around 150 owners and executives of Ho Chi Minh and neighboring cities participated in person, and 50 participants joined virtually through the webinar platform for the session themed “Adjustment for Adaptation – New Direction and Opportunities.” The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Ryan Hollowell, Commercial Officer from the U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City, followed by remarks from Mr. Dinh Ngoc Thang, Director of the HCM City Customs Department and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, Chairwoman of VWEC. The workshop featured various knowledge-sharing sessions on the challenges SMEs have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and opportunities to adapt to the current crisis with digital solutions. The program featured distinguished speakers and supported by Coca-Cola, Suntory PepsiCo, Mastercard, Google and Baker & McKenzie.

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“Digital Transformation for Singapore Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during COVID-19”

Location: Singapore

Date: October 14, 2020

Participants: 141

Partner: Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Business Federation

Overview: 141owners and executives of Singapore Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) participated in the webinar session titled, “Digital Transformation for Singapore SMEs during COVID-19.” The webinar was officially opened by Ambassador Michael W. Michalak, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the Council, and Mr. Douglas Foo, Vice Chairman Singapore Business Federation. The webinar began with a keynote address from Mr. Ted Tan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Singapore. And followed by two sessions by US-ABC member companies: Visa and Adobe. The first session featured Kunal Chatterjee, Country Manager Visa Singapore and Brunei, and Chavi Jafa, Head of Business Solutions, Visa Asia Pacific. They also invited their SME Champion, Victor Koh from Ette Tea, to share his business experience to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and transition to the new business environment. The second session eatured Rajesh Patil, Territory and Channel Manager, Adobe. He presented the latest digital tools to help small businesses adapt to the new business environments.

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“Promoting Secure Digital Payments for Indonesian SMEs”

Location: Indonesia

Date: August 11, 2020

Participants: 279

Partner: Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs of the Republic of Indonesia, The Indonesian Employers’ Association (APINDO)

Overview: More than 250 owners and executives of Indonesia Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) participated in the webinar session titled, “Promoting Secure Digital Payments for Indonesian SMEs”.The webinar was hosted and moderated by Angga Antagia, Senior Country Representative –Indonesia, the US-ASEAN Business Council (the Council). The webinar was officially opened by Ambassador Michael W. Michalak, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the Council, Mr. Navin Jain, Country Manager, Mastercard Indonesia, Ir. Victoria br. Simanungkalit, MM, Deputy for Production and Marketing, Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, and Mr. Ronald Walla, Chair of MSMEs/SMIs, The Indonesian Employers Association (Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia/APINDO). The webinar began with a session about the Indonesian Government’s plan to support Indonesian SMEs in the COVID-19, especially in accelerating digital transformation. It was followed by a session from Mastercard who explained the benefits of digital payment systems and cashless transactions to help SMEs adapt in the “new normal”.

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“Enhancing Digital Skills for Thailand SMEs in COVID-19”

Location: Thailand

Date: July 10, 2020

Participants: 94 (WebEx), 457 (Facebook Live Views as of July 15)

Partner: Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) Thailand, Thammasat Business School

Overview: Around 100 owners and executives of Thailand Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participated in the webinar session titled, “Enhancing Digital Skills for Thailand SMEs in COVID-19”. Hosted by Saravadee Homsub, Country Manager –Thailand, Laos Myanmar, the US-ASEAN Business Council (the Council) and moderated by Dr. Suthikorn Kingkaew, Assistant Professor for International Business at Thammasat Business School. The webinar was officially opened by Ambassador Michael Michalak, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the Council, Dr. Wimonkan Kosumas of OSMEP, and Associate Professor Dr. Ruth Banomyong, Dean of the Thammasat Business School. And it featured Dr. Wimonkan Kosumas, Deputy Director General of Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) Thailand, Ms. Natsicha Voraprukpisut, Head of Market Development for Mastercard, and Ms. Boonthida Ratanavilaikul, Marketing Manager for FedEx.

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“Digital Payments for SMEs in COVID-19”

Location: Philippines

Date: May 29, 2020

Participants: 223

Partner: the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippine Trade and Training Centre (PTTC)

Overview: More than 200 owners and executives of Philippine Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participated in the webinar session titled, “Digital Payments for SMEs in COVID-19”. Moderated by Elizabeth Magsaysay-Crébassa, Chief Country Representative – ASEAN, Philippines, the US-ASEAN Business Council, the webinar featured Jerry T. Clavesillas, Director Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) at the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry; Dan Wolbert, Country Manager at VISA Philippines and Chavi Jafa, Head of Business Solutions, Asia Pacific at VISA.

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