The ASEAN Foundation, in collaboration with AVPN and supported by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank, has announced the launch of the AI for MSME Advancement in ASEAN (AIM ASEAN) programme. This initiative aims to provide practical AI training to 100,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Southeast Asia, helping them enhance operations and expand markets.
Nine local organisations have been selected to implement the programme, including Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS-ASEAN Student Association in Malaysia, Project Asia Data in Singapore, Big BWN Project in Brunei Darussalam, Kenan Foundation Asia in Thailand, Viet Nam, and Cambodia, and others across the region. These partners will develop and adapt learning materials tailored to the specific challenges faced by business owners, focusing on practical AI applications such as improving online sales and financial management.
AIM ASEAN is a two-year initiative designed to foster a resilient and inclusive digital economy, aligning with ASEAN Vision 2045. The programme also aims to create a supportive ecosystem by bringing together policymakers and experts through national and regional convenings.
Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating, “The AIM ASEAN programme represents a critical step towards equipping MSMEs with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the digital era.”
The programme has received official endorsement from the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSMEs, marking it as an official ASEAN initiative. Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO at AVPN, highlighted the necessity of an AI-ready workforce, stating that it is a shared social mandate for governments, businesses, and impact organisations.
Training will be delivered through a hybrid approach, combining in-person workshops and online platforms, focusing on real-world AI applications in sectors such as retail, agriculture, and services.
