Malaysian telecommunication firm Maxis and lender Public Bank Bhd. are collaborating to further accelerate digital adoption among Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The duo said in a statement on Friday that through the collaboration, which was formalized during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony, both companies will embark on a joint awareness program to promote digitalization among SMEs.

This will also pave the way for SMEs to access digital solutions, together with the financial assistance to implement them, according to the statement.

Public Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Tay Ah Lek said the collaboration will see Malaysian SMEs getting the best from both the finance and technology areas.

“We believe that by combining our financial expertise with Maxis’ technological prowess, we can make a meaningful impact on the digital transformation of Malaysian SMEs, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the nation’s economic growth,

“Together, Public Bank and Maxis are dedicated to supporting business on their path to success, leveraging the best of banking and technology,” he added.

Meanwhile, Maxis Chief Executive Officer Goh Seow Eng said they are pleased to have a like-minded partner in Public Bank that shares their commitment to support SMEs.

“As an integrated telco, Maxis Business is the trusted partner for enterprises of all sizes. We want to make it easy for SMEs to digitalize, so they can focus on growing their business,

“Through this collaboration, we look forward to together drive the nation’s SME digital transformation,” he added.

For maximum impact of the collaboration, both parties will explore ways to jointly engage their respective customers through on-ground and online activities.

These may include activities such as awareness talks across Public Bank’s branch network.

Meanwhile, Maxis Business will come on board as the official telco and digital partner of Public Bank’s PB enterprise Digital SME Assist Program.

This will enable Public Bank’s SME customers to access Maxis’ range of connectivity and digital solutions to meet their diverse business needs, such as mobile and fixed connectivity, payments, e-commerce, cloud and cybersecurity.

Maxis Business will also assist Public Bank’s SME customers to apply for the Geran Digital PMKS Madani digitalization grant scheme by the Malaysian Government to implement the solutions.

SMEs that require further financial support may also explore the range of financing solutions offered by Public Bank.

Maxis is Malaysia’s integrated telco, providing high quality digital services and connectivity solutions. As a homegrown Malaysian brand, the firm has been serving Malaysians for over 28 years.

Maxis is a public listed company on Bursa Malaysia, with shares owned by over 5,400 institutional shareholders that include more than 23 percent government related institutional investors as of September 2023.

Founded in 1966, Public Bank is a bank specializing in a comprehensive range of financial services, including retail and corporate banking, investment banking, and Islamic banking.

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