BANGKOK, 23 November 2023 – The ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME) introduced ASEAN Access LEARN, a new feature that offers online courses for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in ASEAN. This expands the existing services available via the ASEAN Access portal –a one-stop business information gateway to ASEAN and beyond, aimed at helping MSMEs in the region to internationalise their business.
The hybrid launch took place in Bangkok, Thailand and was organised by the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) of Thailand, as the host of ASEAN Access, in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat. The hybrid event was attended by representatives of public and private stakeholders from ten ASEAN Member States, including MSME promotion agencies and service providers, as well as network partners from the business community.
Notable guests and speakers at the event included Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community, Wachira Kaewkor, the Deputy Director General of the Office of SMEs Promotion, Thailand, and, Reinhold Elges, Country Director of GIZ Thailand.
The distinguished speakers in their respective remarks recalled the journey of ASEAN Access. Since its launch in 2021, ASEAN Access has evolved into a regional hub and flagship platform for international trade and market access within ASEAN and beyond. With the launch of ASEAN Access MATCH in January 2022, its function expanded to include live networking and business matchmaking, connecting ASEAN businesses regionally and beyond ASEAN. This initiative has fostered lasting partnerships and opportunities, with nearly 1,500 business leaders engaging in these matchmaking opportunities.
“We believe in doing more. International trade support should encompass all aspects of cross-border trade, including skills development and knowledge sharing. That’s why today, the ASEAN Access Network is introducing ASEAN Access LEARN, aiming to empower more ASEAN businesses for international trade,” said Wachira Kaewkor in his opening remarks. He invited all businesses and business support communities to explore ASEAN Access LEARN and take advantage of the training opportunities.
In his keynote speech, Satvinder Singh welcomed LEARN as the new feature of ASEAN Access and shared his views on how the ASEAN Access LEARN could position itself as an aggregator of ASEAN’s trade facilitation tools and initiatives for businesses in ASEAN. Noting the need to strengthen intra-ASEAN trade further, he emphasised advances made with respect to digital integration and other initiatives to simplify regulations that foster and facilitate cross-border trade.
He further stressed that ASEAN Access, and its extension services, be it MATCH or LEARN, is a crucial bridge linking ASEAN policies to the business community, as the tools are instrumental in empowering MSMEs, not only by building their capacity but also by preparing them for successful internationalisation.
Reinhold Elges, Country Director of GIZ Thailand in his opening remarks mentioned several crucial factors for effective market entry for MSMEs in international markets, such as understanding local traditions, market entry conditions, and relationship building.
“ASEAN Access LEARN reflects ASEAN Access’ commitment to digitalising international trade. Moving away from traditional seminar formats, offering flexible learning opportunities, ASEAN Access LEARN will organise live online training sessions and free of charge for maximum accessibility for everybody – anywhere, anytime. Businesses will be able to tap into expertise previously inaccessible to them,” he said.
ASEAN Access LEARN is a feature to leverage capacity building in an innovative and demand-driven manner. Network partners and interested parties, such as business associations or individual companies, can host self-study courses and live training on a dedicated platform – free of charge. With a focus on import, export and e-commerce, trainings and topics will cover various industries and can be tailored to the needs of MSMEs preparing for cross-border trade. ASEAN Access LEARN complements the growing services offered by ASEAN Access, including links to other portals and databases, notably on business and intellectual property registration.
As a flagship initiative of ACCMSME, ASEAN Access supports internationalisation efforts of MSMEs by facilitating access to trusted market information, networking and business matchmaking opportunities. To date, more than 3,100 MSMEs are registered as members, and a comprehensive service provider databank lists nearly 50 network partners from around the region.
The ASEAN Access platform contributes to the implementation of the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025. The development of ASEAN Access and its core features receives technical support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the “SME Promotion in ASEAN II” project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
