Micro, small, and medium enterprises are a central part of economic life in Southeast Asia. According to the ASEAN Secretariat, there are 70 million MSMEs across the ASEAN Member States, representing between 97.2% and 99.9% of all registered businesses. Many owners manage their shops, services, or production units with limited digital tools, and this often makes daily work slower and more manual.
These conditions led to the creation of AI for MSME Advancement in ASEAN, or AIM ASEAN, a regional programme that helps business owners learn simple and useful ways to use artificial intelligence. AIM ASEAN is led by the ASEAN Foundation in partnership with AVPN through the AI Opportunity Fund Asia Pacific Phase 2 with support from Google.org, the Asian Development Bank, and KUMPUL Impact.
AIM ASEAN aims to train 100,000 MSMEs in 10 ASEAN countries within 2 years. The sessions introduce practical uses of AI such as creating product materials, improving online sales activities, and organising financial records. Learning takes place through face to face workshops and online sessions so participants can follow the material in a way that fits their routines. The programme also hosts meetings with government representatives and organisations to discuss how small businesses can continue learning and using digital tools.
Why AI Skills Are Important for MSMEs in ASEAN
MSMEs make up about 97% of all businesses in ASEAN. They provide around 85% of jobs and contribute about 44.8% of the region’s GDP according to the ASEAN Secretariat. A study by the Asia Foundation records similar numbers with MSMEs contributing about 45% of GDP and 85% of the workforce. Many business owners still use manual methods for stock checks, sales, or promotion, which limits how fast they can grow. Simple AI tools can help them make decisions more clearly and organise their work more efficiently.
Main Results of the AIM ASEAN Programme
AIM ASEAN produces several concrete results. Business owners learn how to use AI tools that match their daily needs. The training materials are adjusted for different fields such as retail, agriculture, services, and manufacturing. The programme also hosts discussions at national and regional levels to share what business owners need when learning digital skills. Local partner organisations take part to ensure small business communities receive steady support. These efforts link learning in the classroom with the conditions businesses face in their markets.
Local Implementation of AIM ASEAN in Indonesian Cities
AIM ASEAN activities in Indonesia have reached business owners in several cities. In Bogor, the training took place over 2 days at the Bogor City Council building. Radar Bogor reported that more than 400 participants attended. They came from culinary, craft, service, and creative fields. The sessions introduced AI features that help them prepare product photos or text, manage online sales, and record income and expenses in a more organised way. Local and national representatives attended to understand the questions raised by participants.
In Yogyakarta, the programme met business owners from tourism, culinary, and creative sectors. The training showed how AI can support content creation that reflects local products, arrange catalogues, and plan stock. Trainers used step by step practice so participants could test each tool directly during the session. The focus was to make sure every participant could try and understand how the tools fit into their everyday routines.
The activities in Bogor and Yogyakarta show how the programme adapts to different business communities. Each session gives clear examples that match local markets and real business needs. Through these activities, AIM ASEAN helps more MSME owners gain access to simple AI tools that support their daily work and long term growth.
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