foodpanda and Malaysian govt tie-up to help SMEs go digital

The Malaysian government is partnering with foodpanda to facilitate the digitisation of micro enterprises and SMEs and to encourage consumers digital spending. This is part of foodpanda's eCommerce and Shop Malaysia Online campaign, is also among the initiatives under the 35 billion short-term economic recovery plan (PENJANA) announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

The campaigns will run between June and September this year. As part of the campaign, foodpanda will be supporting new micro enterprises and SMEs with additional and targeted marketing support. Additionally, specialised digital discount vouchers will be made available to encourage online spending on targeted local vendors on foodpanda’s platform.

Through a co-funded matching grant programme worth RM140 million with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and selected eCommerce platforms, the Malaysian government will offer the on-boarding training, subsidy and sales support to eligible micro enterprises and SMEs in digitising and moving their businesses online. Similarly as part of PENJANA, the government will be co funding digital discount vouchers and promotional codes with selected eCommerce platforms to encourage online consumer spending on products by local retailers.

Sayantan Das, MD of foodpanda, said having expanded its services nationwide, it is fortunate to be in a position to help businesses recover and grow post-Enhanced Movement Control Order. "We sincerely hope more local businesses will participate in the eCommerce and Shop Malaysia Online campaign given the rising trends in eCommerce spending in the new normal," Das said.

Separately, over the weekend, Prime Minister Muhyiddin said that Malaysia will exit the conditional movement control order as planned on 9 June and enter into the next phase of COVID-19 recovery. As part of the next phase, commercial activities including sales and marketing transactions outside of business premises are permitted. Inter-state travel and domestic tourism activities are also allowed, except to designated areas under the Enhanced Movement Control Order. 

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