Kuala lumpur: Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need to embrace digital technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), to meet the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations and thrive in the future economy, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He emphasized the importance of digital transformation for SMEs, which constitute approximately 97 percent of the national economy, underscoring their role in boosting the nation’s digital economy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Gobind Singh Deo highlighted the launch of the ESGAMConnect platform, an initiative aimed at helping SMEs achieve their ESG targets. The platform is a collaborative effort between the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Ministry of Digital, designed to raise awareness among SMEs about the importance of ESG in the coming years.
ESGAMConnect is an AI-powered platform developed by the ESG Association of Malaysia (ESGAM) and iForte Intelligence Sdn Bhd (iForte). It provides an integrated digital ecosystem supported by an AI virtual assistant to assist businesses in navigating the ESG value chain. The platform offers various features, including ESG learning and talent development, digital assessment tools, and a sector-specific marketplace that connects businesses with verified partners such as ESG consultants, trainers, auditors, and solution providers.
The platform also supports ESG reporting and audit readiness, provides referrals to accreditation bodies, and recommends relevant carbon credit platforms and markets. Additionally, ESGAMConnect’s financing and grants hub links businesses with government assistance schemes and green loan facilities, catalyzing ESG growth and unlocking new investment opportunities.
Eric Chong, ESGAM honorary advisor and strategic alliance chair, mentioned that the platform is expected to reach 1.2 million SMEs in Malaysia through collaborations with MDEC, the National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM), the SME Association of Malaysia (SMEAM), and the Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance (MCSA). He noted that the platform is currently in its first phase and will be improved based on customer feedback, with enhancements expected in its second phase by the third or fourth quarter of this year.