CTOS Leads the Charge as Malaysia Rallies SMEs for a Digital Future
Malaysia is accelerating its push toward a tech-driven economy—and CTOS is right at the forefront, championing the digital transformation of SMEs. At CTOS SME Biz Day 2025, policymakers, business leaders, and tech giants gathered to deliver one clear message: the time for digitalisation is now.
Kevin Loh, Interim Group CEO of CTOS Digital Bhd, kicked off the event by stressing the power of data in enhancing SME competitiveness. “In today’s business landscape, data isn’t just useful—it’s a strategic asset,” he said, underscoring CTOS’s role in empowering businesses through smart, data-driven decision-making.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo reinforced the nation’s commitment to digital growth. “We find ourselves in a dynamic and competitive global market that presents both opportunities and challenges. For Malaysian businesses to rise to the occasion, digitalisation is key,” he declared.
Malaysia’s digital momentum is already gaining international recognition, ranking 33rd in the 2024 Global Innovation Index and 36th in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking. Yet, SMEs still lag behind larger companies in adopting digital tools due to high costs, limited manpower, and lack of digital literacy.
To close this gap, the Ministry of Digital is rolling out support mechanisms, including RM50 million in digital matching grants, the Business Digitalisation Initiative via MDEC, and strategic partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft and Alibaba Cloud.
“Our vision is to create a digitally empowered Malaysia where every business, regardless of size, can thrive in our national digital ecosystem,” said Gobind. He outlined four critical pillars for SME growth: digital marketing and e-commerce, cybersecurity, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
He pointed to MYDIN’s e-wallet MYDINPay and growing online presence as an example of how traditional businesses can harness tech for modern growth. CyberSecurity Malaysia and MDEC are also playing key roles in offering practical training and guidance, while the National AI Office (NAIO) is setting the stage for broader AI adoption across industries.
The conference’s dynamic sessions further drilled down into real-world strategies for SMEs. In a panel moderated by Datuk William Ng, President of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA), industry experts explored SME scaling through access to finance, digital tools, and global markets.
Other sessions showcased how generative AI, mobile innovations, and automation—from AWS, Samsung, and Mochi Technologies—are helping businesses work smarter. Unifi Business led a fireside chat on agile leadership, while sustainability took the spotlight with Pos Hijau’s carbon reporting tool and financial insights from CIMB and Salesforce.
CTOS also addressed regulatory readiness, especially the upcoming 2025 e-invoicing mandate by LHDN. Software providers such as AutoCount offered SMEs practical solutions for seamless compliance.
As the day wrapped up, CTOS SME Biz Day 2025 left participants with more than inspiration—it offered a tangible blueprint for growth. With strong government support and a growing ecosystem of private sector partners, Malaysian SMEs now have the tools and backing to compete—and lead—in the digital economy.
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