Singapore, 27 June 2024 – On International MSME Day 2024, Ant International, a leader in digital payments and financial services, has announced its unwavering support for nearly 100 million Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide. This commitment is bolstered through its expansive range of businesses and partnerships, including Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst, ANEXT Bank, and the newly introduced bettr. Alongside, the company has launched its global campaign “Embrace the Power of Small,” celebrating the resilience and innovation of small businesses.
Empowering MSMEs through Digitalisation
Ant International offers a suite of solutions designed to empower MSMEs with digital tools, driving growth and innovation.
Alipay+, renowned for its cross-border mobile payments and marketing solutions, has expanded its global acceptance. As of June 2024, Alipay+ is accepted by over 90 million merchants across 66 markets, connecting businesses with users of 30 international payment partners. Notably, Alipay+ has integrated with national QRs in Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea, driving a significant increase in transactions at MSME merchants.
Antom supports merchants in over 40 countries, providing seamless connections to more than 250 payment methods across 150 markets. Its D-store solution, which allows MSMEs to set up an online store within minutes, has seen a 27% increase in average monthly transactions in Q2 2024.
WorldFirst, serving over 1 million SMEs with international payments, is set to expand further into Southeast Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, ANEXT Bank has doubled its customer base year-on-year, with a significant portion comprising micro businesses. The introduction of bettr, a global digital lending service, further accelerates financial inclusion for MSMEs.
Driving Development through Industry Partnerships
Ant International’s dedication to MSME development is further evidenced by its collaborative initiatives. In Indonesia, the company, alongside DANA, is launching the second edition of SisBerdaya, aimed at empowering female micro-entrepreneurs. The 10×1000 Tech for Inclusion program, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, continues to foster digital skills for future leaders, with impressive participation from developing markets.
Earlier this year, Ant International introduced Programme Sirius, supported by 13 Asia Pacific fintech leaders, to help MSMEs transition towards sustainability.
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Celebrating MSMEs with the “Embrace the Power of Small” Campaign
In celebration of International MSME Day, Ant International’s “Embrace the Power of Small” campaign highlights the inspiring journeys of three entrepreneurs:
- Cholthicha Joyyangsuk (Numwan) from Thailand, who uses Alipay+ to accept mobile payments from tourists, expanding her customer base.
- Lem Cheong, owner of The Hainan Story in Singapore, who utilizes Antom’s D-store for streamlined operations.
- Lewis Ames, founder of Wrimes Cosmetics in the UK, leveraging WorldFirst for seamless international payments.
These stories will feature on out-of-home billboards, starting in Europe during UEFA EURO 2024, and will be showcased globally through TV and social media.
About Ant International
Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International is a pioneer in digital commerce, offering comprehensive digital payment and financial services solutions to businesses worldwide. In collaboration with partners, Ant International is dedicated to fostering growth for merchants of all sizes.
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