ASEAN SME Working Group Deliberate Cloud Computing To Unlock Business Transformation

Microsoft and SME Corp host “Technology Showcase Summit” at ASEAN SME Working Group to underscore power of cloud computing in transforming ASEAN business landscape

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 June 2012 —Microsoft and SME Corp today hosted a “Technology Showcase Summit” to the ASEAN SME Working Group (“ASEAN SMEWG”) conference, underscoring the power of cloud computing in transforming SMEs into sustainable growth engines of the Southeast Asian business landscape. The event, themed “Transforming ASEAN Businesses Powered By Cloud Computing,” was mooted to discuss and provide concrete examples of public-private collaboration to achieve the outcomes of the Strategic Action Plan for ASEAN SME Development 2010-2015.

Kicking off the event, En. Mahdi Mohd. Ariffin, Deputy CEO of SME Corp Malaysia explained how momentum in the cloud for SMEs was growing, saying, “SMEs are the backbone of economic development, and they now face the need to become more competitive and resilient moving forward. Technology definitely plays an integral role in this to help SMEs become more profitable, which is why SMEs can no longer ignore the power inherent in cloud computing. Companies preparing to engage and compete globally are flocking to the Cloud for its advantages to scale on demand and achieve greater productivity. In fact, according to Forrester Consulting, 64 percent of Malaysian companies are either currently using or actively planning cloud initiatives.”He continued, “Cloud computing is certainly helping SMEs be more innovative, moving beyond merely maintaining technology to looking into strategies that optimize IT in support of business objectives. Again and again, we’re seeing how the cloud is helping our customers save costs and improve the customer experience.”

Speaking to the delegates, Mr. Saw Ken Wye, Vice President (Asia) of Microsoft Corporation said, “An important element of competitive success for ASEAN is helping entrepreneurs, the essential engine of ASEAN economy. Technology is playing a significant role in helping SMEs remain competitive in challenging economic times. Smart technology helps to save money and energy costs, identify new trends and business models, like cloud computing, that will drive future growth and jobs. ASEAN has a clear focus with the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2015 towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth – our core contention is that the cloud will be a catalyst towards this aim.”

Saw explained further, “ASEAN member states have a profound opportunity not only to benefit from the cloud, but also to lead in the new cloud era. As for Microsoft, we will continue partnering with businesses, governments, academics and other cloud visionaries to help Asia realize its full cloud potential. This is something we will remain committed to, as exemplified by our US$9.5 billion investment into cloud research and development – more than any other company in the world.”

The ASEAN SMEWG is part of the Strategic Action Plan for ASEAN SME Development 2010-2015, which outlines the framework for SME development in the ASEAN Region. The Plan covers mandates stipulated in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, as well as the current and future work of the ASEAN SMEWG, which is composed of the SME Agencies of all ASEAN Member Countries. In partnership with donor agencies and the private sector, the ASEAN SMEWG seeks to ensure the advancement of SMEs in the region.

The blueprint comprises strategic work programs, policy measures and indicative outputs. Its objectives are to:
• Accelerate the pace of SME development, optimizing on the diversities of ASEAN Member Countries;
• Enhance the competitiveness and dynamism of ASEAN SMEs by facilitating their access to information, market, human resource development and skills, finance as well as technology;
• Strengthen the resilience of ASEAN SMEs to better withstand adverse macroeconomic and financial difficulties, as well as the challenges of a more liberalised trading environment; and
• Increase the contribution of SMEs to the overall economic growth and development of ASEAN as a region.