ASEAN programme helps small firms soar in digital economy

Caption: Representatives from the ASEAN Foundation, TikTok Shop, and ASEAN SOAR Together entrepreneurs pose at the TikTok Shop booth during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
The ASEAN Foundation, in partnership with TikTok Shop and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia, is helping small businesses embrace digital transformation through the ASEAN SOAR Together programme.
The initiative was showcased at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2025, where five ASEAN micro, small and medium enterprises shared their digital success stories and held live-selling sessions to regional audiences. 

The event highlighted how innovation and digital tools are helping small firms grow across Southeast Asia.
Director of Public Policy for Southeast Asia at TikTok, Ms Chanida Klyphun, said the programme showed how digital tools empower entrepreneurs.
“TikTok Shop is deeply committed to supporting MSMEs in their digital transformation, and the ASEAN SOAR Together programme is a prime example of how we are helping these businesses grow. Through a combination of training, real-world application, and ASEAN-scale exposure, we’re empowering entrepreneurs with the tools and opportunities that help them thrive digitally,” she was quoted as saying.
The ASEAN Foundation, TikTok Shop, and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia launched the ASEAN SOAR Together programme to strengthen the digital capacity of small businesses. 
The initiative supports 50 MSMEs, representing over 150 entrepreneurs from all ASEAN Member States, through training in live-selling, content creation, and online policy compliance.
Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, Dr Piti Srisangnam, said the summit highlighted the results of regional cooperation. 
“Seeing our MSMEs—the backbone of the ASEAN economy—showcase their growth and digital resilience on this international stage is a moment of immense pride,” he said.

“This success validates the ASEAN SOAR Together programme and the unwavering commitment of our partner, TikTok Shop, in equipping these entrepreneurs with essential e-commerce skills. We are accelerating our efforts to ensure digital transformation remains inclusive, sustainable, and delivers real, lasting prosperity for communities across the region.”
The five top-performing MSMEs featured at the event were MAGWAI from the Philippines, LALAPIS from Thailand, Meatless Kingdom from Indonesia, Redlands Coffee from Vietnam, and Camb-Aha from Cambodia.
MAGWAI recorded 79 percent growth in gross merchandise value and more than doubled its sales conversion rate, while Meatless Kingdom achieved 715 percent growth in GMV and a 602 percent increase in engagement.
Representative of Meatless Kingdom, Ms Rizky Amalia, said the programme opened up new business opportunities. 
“This summit brought tremendous impact on our future development, especially in expanding export opportunities,” she said.
Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Tan Sri Nazir Razak, said the initiative showed how small businesses can help drive inclusive growth. 
“This partnership strengthens MSMEs’ digital competitiveness and empowers women and youth entrepreneurs,” he said.
The ASEAN SOAR Together programme supports the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, ensuring that small enterprises are not left behind in the region’s digital future.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update November 12, 2025)