Ant International, a Singapore-headquartered digital payment and FinTech firm, has announced that it will establish a new digital business center in Malaysia, with a focus on tapping local tech talent to drive its global businesses.
Ant International said in a statement on Thursday that the center will create more than 500 new job opportunities in the first year, with more hirings in the next four years till 2028.
Majority of roles created will be tech-focused, aligning with the company’s vision in using tech and innovation to accelerate global commerce and inclusion.
The biggest team being the technology and development department, comprising a range of software development engineers, followed by product and design team, and data science and risk control team.
The company will commit dedicated resources to develop and nurture these tech talents through comprehensive training, mentorship and exposure to its global businesses.
Ant International’s new Digital Business Centre will move into The Exchange 106, at the heart of the Tun Razak Exchange financial and business hub, by 2025, according to Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International.
“Tech and innovation are at the heart of Ant International, and with the Malaysian government promoting tech skills development and positioning Malaysia as an innovation hub, we believe that together with partners like MDEC, we can harness local tech talents to significantly accelerate the impact that our businesses can make, locally and around the world,” said Feagin.
Present in Malaysia since 2014, Ant International has since collaborated with local partners in promoting a vibrant fintech community, benefitting Malaysians with more convenient digital payments, while also supporting digital inclusion and creating economic opportunities for local
businesses.
For example, through its partnership with TNG Digital, Ant International has enabled users of Touch ‘n Go eWallet to make payment around the world, on top of driving positive development in Malaysia’s mobile wallet ecosystem and digital economy.
It is noted that during Chinese New Year 2024, Alipay+, the cross-border mobile payments, marketing and digitalization platform operated by Ant International, brought more customers to local merchants, helping them benefit from tourism growth.
Transaction volume and spending by users of Alipay+ payment partner apps at DuitNow QR merchants increased 2.5 times during this period.
To support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) digitalization, Ant International launched Alipay+ D-store, an all-in-one solution to enable brick-and-mortar merchants to easily digitize their operations and integrate with online channels, in Malaysia at the end of 2022.
Local merchants who have adopted Alipay+ D-store include Coolblog, renowned for its nostalgic Malaysian childhood offerings, allowing customers to do mobile ordering and pick up, to enhance efficiency and increase customer reach, and also opened its in-app store on Touch ‘n Go eWallet and Alipay.
Ant International also recently formed a strategic partnership with Capital A across its entire business ecosystem, including AirAsia, AirAsia MOVE and BigPay, to promote inclusive and sustainable impact to address global challenges, including advancing digital inclusion, cultivating digital talent, and promoting a sustainable travel program.
AirAsia MOVE will work with Ant International to integrate Alipay+ e-wallets as payment options within the MOVE’s payment flows while BigPay is to become the latest payment partner of Alipay+.
Ant International will further collaborate with local partners in developing tech talent in Malaysia, including through programs like 10×1000, an open and global learning community to nurture and inspire tech talents and digital leaders.
Through the support of partners like MDEC, TNG Digital and the Fintech Association of Malaysia, more than 120 fintech leaders have completed the program, of which more than one third are women.
“The opening of the new Digital Business Centre in Malaysia by Ant International is truly commended as such an initiative plays an important role for the local tech talents to thrive in its global businesses in the digital industry,” MDEC chief executive officer Mahadhir Aziz said.
“This will create more jobs, and investment opportunities and thus, position Malaysia as the digital hub of ASEAN,
“This is a testament to their commitment to choosing Malaysia as a preferred country in the mission to propel the digital economy,” he added.