TikTok Shop said on Thursday it is working with the ASEAN Foundation and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to expand its “SOAR Together Program” (Supporting Our Artisans and Retailers) to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia.
The program aims to equip MSMEs with skills in e-commerce, live selling, digital marketing, and business expansion using the TikTok Shop platform, the company said in a statement.
“As the backbone of ASEAN’s economy, micro, small, and medium enterprises play a vital role in economic development, particularly in underserved communities,” said Chanida Klyphun, TikTok director of Southeast Asia Public Policy.
“We are proud to continue our longstanding commitment to empower MSMEs through this new partnership…that will elevate MSMEs with practical skills,” Klyphun said.
The collaboration will focus on driving digital transformation and economic inclusion for MSMEs by providing tailored support and resources, TikTok said.
MSMEs account for between 97.2 percent and 99.9 percent of total establishments across ASEAN, representing about 70 million businesses. TikTok noted that these businesses often face challenges such as limited access to finance, inadequate business skills, and insufficient market linkages.
TikTok said it welcomes applications from all interested MSMEs operating in ASEAN countries. The program will offer tailored digital business skill capacity training, hands-on learning experiences focused on live selling and networking opportunities.