KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must go beyond developing data centres and ramp up its digital capabilities to stay ahead in a fast-changing global economy, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
While the country’s data infrastructure is expanding rapidly, he said this growth must be matched with artificial intelligence (AI) development, content creation and the cultivation of local digital talent.
“Accelerating artificial intelligence and developing a skilled digital workforce are essential if Malaysia wants to stay relevant in a fast-evolving digital landscape,” Dr Wee said.
He was speaking at the launch of Malaysia’s promotion for the Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE), to be held from Sept 25 to 29 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
Dr Wee, who attended last year’s edition of the GDTE, said Malaysian businesses must now embrace “new retail” models, blending online and offline operations, and adopt digital tools to expand into regional markets.
“Our goal is to move beyond isolated participation and towards systemic engagement, from individual efforts to integrated platforms,” he said.
Since its launch in 2022, the GDTE has drawn over 3,500 companies and international organisations from 123 countries, showcasing innovations across AI, e-commerce, digital health, smart logistics and semiconductor technologies.
Dr Wee noted that Malaysian companies have already played active roles at the expo as exhibitors, buyers and online collaborators with Chinese firms, and urged more businesses to tap into the opportunities.
He stressed that the global economy has fully entered the digital age, and Malaysian industries from manufacturing and exports to services and innovation must assess whether they are adequately prepared.
“This expo provides a national-level platform for Malaysian businesses to connect with the Chinese market, learn from its digital progress and find areas for complementary cooperation rather than becoming trapped in direct competition,” he said.
“It’s about collaboration, learning and unlocking opportunities in a fast-evolving digital landscape.”
Meanwhile, Chen Wen, chief representative of the Zhejiang Representative Office in Singapore and South-East Asia, described Malaysia as a digital economy pioneer within Asean, noting the country’s progress in e-payments, smart logistics, and digital infrastructure.
Chen said Zhejiang, home to tech giants like Alibaba and Hikvision, has led China’s digital transformation, recording double-digit growth in its digital economy since it was named China’s first National Digital Economy Innovation Development Pilot Zone in 2019.
In 2024, Malaysia-Zhejiang bilateral trade reached US$16.89bil (RM79.38bil), up 14.9% from the previous year.
As of March, Zhejiang companies had invested in 251 projects in Malaysia, with approved investments totalling US$3.03bil (RM14.24bil).
Also speaking at the event was Li Sa, Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, who praised Malaysia’s strong digital infrastructure, supported by the boom in data centre development and an innovative ecosystem that points to a promising market outlook.
She expressed confidence about deeper China–Malaysia cooperation in the digital space and urged Malaysian firms to seize the opportunity to participate in the upcoming GDTE.
“China’s development will not crowd out neighbouring markets. Instead, it will create an ever-expanding consumer base for them.”
She also extended an invitation to Malaysia to attend the China International Import Expo in Shanghai this November.
Also present at the event were Secretary-General of the Zhejiang Provincial Chamber of Foreign Contractors He Yun, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce president Loo Kok Seong, MCA vice-presidents Datuk Lawrence Low and Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, as well as MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
