Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, recently wrapped up its prestigious Malaysia Key E-commerce Leader Award (KEL Award) in Kuala Lumpur. The event was a showcase of brilliance, featuring six standout Malaysian e-commerce sellers.
Each participant delivered compelling presentations that spotlighted their achievements and the innovative strategies that drove their success on the Alibaba.com platform. This initiative, supported by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), is part of Alibaba.com’s commitment to promoting e-commerce development in Malaysia.
Pushing The Boundaries Of Global Trade
Alibaba.com head of Malaysia Business, Rocky Lu said the Malaysia KEL Awards highlight the exceptional entrepreneurial talent in our country. He expressed delight in providing a platform where sellers can present their achievements and earn regional recognition. This event goes beyond a simple competition; it’s a celebration of the creativity and determination of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are expanding the frontiers of global trade. Through this initiative, they aim to inspire and assist more Malaysian SMEs in seizing opportunities in the global market.
"With more than 250 global sellers participating, the awards set the stage for the selected Malaysian SMEs to shine,” he added.
Malaysia has a median volume in Southeast Asia, with many local SMEs still poised to benefit from e-commerce platforms. To support this, they have introduced various initiatives, including both online and offline training sessions, to help SMEs understand and utilise e-commerce effectively while addressing their specific needs.
Alibaba.com is dedicated to supporting the local business community by offering smart assistant tools tailored for both sellers and buyers. These tools enable users to search for suppliers by region and connect with buyers more efficiently.
Malaysia’s E-Commerce Growth and Trade Boost
"Malaysia’s key position and dynamic business environment have reinforced its significance in Southeast Asia's e-commerce sector. From January to July 2024, exports increased by 12.3% to RM131.15 billion, with a trade surplus of RM6.42 billion, showcasing robust trade performance. The accomplishments of local businesses, recognised at Alibaba.com’s KEL Awards, highlight the need for talent development and effective global platforms. Together with Alibaba.com, MATRADE supports this initiative that will greatly help elevate Malaysian entrepreneurs to the global stage,” said YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, CEO of MATRADE.
The competition concluded with the selection of all three finalists as Alibaba.com Malaysia Ambassadors for 2024. Mr. Tee Kai Xuen (Nicholas) from L.K.Tee Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. was honoured as Alibaba.com Malaysia Key E-commerce Leaders for 2024 and will represent Malaysia in the KEL Awards Regional Finale, set to take place in Vietnam later this year.
LK Tee Enterprise Sdn Bhd head of business development, Nicholas Tee, who brought home Alibaba.com’s Key E-commerce Leader award, noted that while his company had been in e-commerce for seven years, the COVID-19 pandemic was a major growth driver.
“Alibaba.com played a crucial role in our success in global e-commerce by helping us build a compelling store and offering extensive connectivity with customers through both web and app platforms. This support allowed us to monitor our store’s performance in real-time, providing valuable insights and enhancing our ability to engage effectively with a global audience,” said Tee.
He advised newcomers to adapt their experiences into practical business plans and highlighted Alibaba.com as a valuable tool for exporters, offering a more efficient alternative to costly and time-consuming physical trade shows. "Conducting business online enables us to operate continuously, all year round, which is a significant advantage. This enables us to manage the entire business ecosystem, including lead generation, marketing, and data analytics, on a single platform," he said.
The event also featured a People’s Choice Award for 2024, with Ms. Sabrina Mah from ZH First Coffee Sdn Bhd receiving recognition based on audience voting. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, "At first, we were just focusing on our business. However, this competition has allowed us to share our success stories and has been inspirational for many SMEs who lack confidence in exporting or using Alibaba. I'm so glad I found this platform to share my journey and I hope everyone can flourish as Malaysian exporters."
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