Following a successful stint last year, Facebook today kicked off the second phase of its Made by Malaysia, Loved by the World programme in partnership with MATRADE and AVANA. The programme aims to train 1,000 SMEs in seven states across Malaysia, arming them with digital marketing knowledge and skills to help them grow locally and abroad.
This year, the programme features an additional partner—DHL Express, the leading global express service provider to help SMEs navigate the complexities and intricacies of logistics and international trade.
“At Facebook, we want to enable connections, not just transactions. With more than 2.2 billion people on Facebook worldwide, our goal is to help SMEs find people who share the same passion for their products and services. Already 87 million people on Facebook from around the world are connected to an SME Page on Facebook in Malaysia—and as people’s preferences and purchases become more global, there is tremendous opportunity for Malaysian SMEs to find new customers beyond borders,” said Nicole Tan, Country Director, Facebook Malaysia.
“Facebook is committed to helping fast forward the country’s digital transformation by helping Malaysian small businesses grow both at home and abroad. Through the expansion of the Made by Malaysia program, Facebook will continue to invest more resources in Malaysia to equip more local SMEs with the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to be successful.”
It’s understatement to say that SMEs are crucial to the Malaysian economy. SMEs make up 98.5 percent of business entities in the country, totalling 907,065 establishments. SMEs contributed MYR435.1 billion to the Malaysian economy in 2017 alone, with a GDP growthof 7.2 percent compared to 5.2 percent in 2016.
Through its “Future of Business Survey” in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank, Facebook discovered new information from Malaysian SMEs: Some key findings:
- 97 percent of SMEs on Facebook in Malaysia say that knowing how to promote products on digital platforms including social media is important to their business
- 85 percent of SMEs on Facebook in Malaysia use online tools and social networks to show products and services to customers.
- 9 in 10 female business owners on Facebook in Malaysia say that social media is helpful to their business.
- 1 in 5 SMEs on Facebook in Malaysia say that they trade internationally.
These insights provided the basis for Facebook to introduce the Made by Malaysia, Loved by the World programme last year. Under the programme, SMEs can learn skills in market research, digital marketing, and building their e-commerce presence. The programme has since helped 1,000 SMEs across seven cities. It also saw the creation of a Malaysia-specific microsite that houses resources for Malaysian SMEs, including free Facebook tools like Cross Border Insights Finder and short e-learning modules via Facebook Blueprint.
Two success stories from the programme last year are two homegrown businesses: Oleh Elona and Auntie TIM.
Oleh Elona, founded by Tengku Elona offers a collection of natural skincare solutions—from face and body cleansers, moisturisers, and more, aimed at fellow eczema sufferers and people with sensitive skin. She credits Facebook for helping her brand reach more customers across borders.
Auntie TIM is a gourmet chili seasoning brand founded by Rose Nizeana. She uses WhatsApp to connect with customers while her Facebook page is used to share her sambal-based recipes. Today, her sambal is enjoyed by both Malaysians as well as Indonesia and the Philippines. After benefiting from the first phase of the programme, Rose has been urging fellow SMEs to join.
The programme now enters the second phase with Facebook, MATRADE and AVANA hosting offline training for 80 SMEs today. Phase two of the programme will help an additional 1,000 SMEs across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang, Perak and Johor.
Participating SMEs can expect more insight and knowledge in cross-border logistics with the addition of new partner DHL.
For more information, visit https://madebyyou.fb.com/my
