23 August, Shah Alam – Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) is presiding over the Malaysia Top E-Commerce Merchant (Top ECM) Awards 2022 with a launching ceremony at the Selangor Digital Creative Centre (SDCC) to celebrate digital entrepreneurship in all forms and guises.
Sidec aims to reward the most successful and innovative homegrown e-commerce merchants while allowing them to shine and benefit from the many opportunities that will avail themselves with increased recognition and brand awareness among their peers and other industry players.
Supported by Affin Bank Berhad (AFFIN BANK) as the main sponsor and in collaboration with SUBPLACE as the official e-commerce marketplace, guests and members of the media were able to gain insights into how e-commerce has evolved over the years in Malaysia and its potential as a potent tool in any SMEs journey towards digitalisation.
This year, Federal Express Services (FedEx) Malaysia has come on board as the official logistics partner of Top ECM and the Top ECM is presided over by a panel of judges from Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), The National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM), Internet Alliance (IA) and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA).
In total, there were 440 submissions and 228 shortlisted this year, each vying for a share of the total pool of prizes worth RM60,000 in cash and other attractive prizes in-kind. All the shortlisted merchants will be judged based on three criteria, namely Online Sales Contest (50%), Livestream Contest (25%) and Business Potential (25%).
This year, there are three award categories: 1) Malaysia Top E-Commerce Merchant Awards, 2) Selangor E-Commerce Merchant Awards, and 3) AFFIN BANK Special Awards (Rising Star and AFFINGEM Women Trailblazer Awards).
‘The Rising Star Award’ is a special award where three winners are chosen based on the company’s business potential. They must be operating for less than three years and must be shortlisted in the top 40 of the main category to be selected. The ‘AFFINGEM Women Trailblazer Award’ is a new subcategory introduced to foster female entrepreneurship.
CEO of Sidec, Yong Kai Ping reiterated the intention of Top ECM in recognising resourceful merchants who were able to effectively harness the capabilities of notable e-commerce platforms to market their products and services online.
“Just as how we are forced to adapt to the many new norms, so too must traditional and emerging merchants to level the playing field,” said Yong Kai Ping. “It’s imperative that they create an online presence as vendors to thrive. In 2016, only 60 e-commerce merchants participated in the inaugural awards.
‘In comparison, 2021 saw an increase to 181 merchants and a resultant RM47 million in total sales. This exponential growth shows that the e-commerce industry is flourishing, and Sidec is here to recognise these outstanding achievements after recording a total sale of RM123 million over the past six years.”
Sidec is committed to playing a crucial role in building a burgeoning digital economy by nurturing business in this new holistic ecosystem. This aligns with the Selangor government’s vision of becoming a liveable “Smart State” in ASEAN by 2025. This is reiterated by Selangor EXCO for Industry and Trade, YB Dato Teng Chang Khim in his opening speech today.
“This seventh iteration of the Top ECM is a testament that Sidec is on the right path in championing a cause that will eventually bear fruit for the economy as a whole,” he said. “What’s good for our state is good for the country. I fervently wish that this award be expanded in scope to allow more entries from different categories.”
This year, Top ECM Awards is also adding a new element of Livestream Festival at the 7th Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) which will be broadcasted through social media platforms from 6th until 9th October 2022 live from Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Additionally, Sidec will also be supported by MATRADE to facilitate export for the five Top ECM Awards winners in their quest for regional and international expansion.
For further information, please visit www.sidec.com.my.