SMEs can boost digital capabilities with free online programme held by Asean Foundation and Huawei

SMALL and medium-sized business owners in Asean looking to enhance their digital capabilities can now apply for a fully-sponsored virtual programme that will teach them digital tools to optimise their business operations.

The “Empowering Digital Skills of Asean SMEs” (EDS-Asean) programme is jointly organised by the Asean Foundation, a non-profit organisation headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Chinese tech giant Huawei.

The programme is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region learn digital tools and strategies to enhance their business processes in today’s digital economy.

Businesses will receive tailored training and mentoring from Huawei’s pool of experts, as well as get the opportunity to network with industry leaders and policymakers from across the region and form valuable partnerships.

About 100 SMEs from 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be selected to participate in the EDS-Asean Programme.

The programme will take place virtually from March to May 2025, with participants needing to go through a “capacity-building” phase.

During this phase, a baseline survey on the challenges they face regarding digitalisation will be conducted. Thereafter, participants will receive relevant materials on how to accelerate digital maturity and attend mentoring sessions.

Participants will also be grouped into clusters of five to 10 for an effective learning experience.

Top performers will then be invited to participate in a one-day workshop in Jakarta in July 2025, where they can showcase their progress and connect with policymakers and stakeholders from the region.

They will also have the opportunity to join the Huawei Cloud Startup Program, which offers resources and further support to accelerate their digital transformation and business growth.

By advancing their digital capabilities, SMEs stand to achieve significant cost savings and become more competitive, said the Asean Foundation. Digitally mature businesses are also better equipped to handle disruptions and maintain operational continuity during challenges, it noted.

“Asean SMEs are at the heart of the region’s economy, but in today’s fast-changing digital landscape, staying competitive requires more than traditional business practices – it demands digital transformation,” the foundation said.

To be eligible for the programme, SMEs must be from any of the 10 Asean member states: Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Businesses must also have an established minimum viable product and not be publicly listed.

Selected SMEs are required to choose a representative – either the founder, co-founder, chief executive or other team members – to attend the programme. Representatives must be Asean nationals; between 18 and 35 years old; and fluent in English, as the entire programme will be delivered in English.

Interested SMEs can submit their applications to the Asean Foundation by Nov 30, 11.59 pm, here. Shortlisted candidates will be notified via e-mail to attend an online interview between December 2024 and January 2025.