Platform to help SMEs penetrate European e-commerce sector

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can soon penetrate the European e-commerce sector through an integrated platform provided by e-commerce and payment solutions provider Multimedia Prospect Sdn Bhd and Belgium national post service Bpost International.

Source From (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/6/26/business/11548723&sec=business
Published: on 26 Jun 2012

Bpost managing director Luc De Munck said Europe had emerged as the largest e-commerce market in the world despite the eurozone crisis.

“People are getting more cost-conscious and are more (online) savvy. They shop online and don't limit to just buying within the European countries,” he told reporters after signing an agreement with Multimedia Prospect Sdn Bhd.

“Bpost sees a year-on-year rise of at least 30% in its parcels postage as compared with last year,” he said, adding that some customers were turned off by the additional hidden costs of postage but through logistic solutions provided by Bpost, sellers were able to gain recurring sales from customers due to the enhanced buying experience.

“In Bpost, we have found the right logistics partner that has the tools and experience to boost Malaysian e-commerce activities globally, especially selling into the eurozone.

“This tie-up enables buyers to know the exact amount of postage that they are paying for with much transparency,” ManagePay Systems Bhd managing director Chew Chee Seng said.

He also said that SMEs had to be cultivated that selling online was an additional channel to increase their revenue.

“We have hand-picked 30 companies from about more than 3000 companies in Malaysia Digital Enterprise Exchange (MDEX) portal to sell in the European Union.

“The 30 companies are chosen because they are trusted brands that provide good quality products. We are very selective of the companies as we do not want to tarnish the image of the (MDEX) portal,” he said.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Belgium ambassador to Malaysia Marc Muellie and SME Corp Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Hafsah Hashim.

Among some of the goods sold by the 30 companies include items that can be posted like packed food and beverage, spices, apparels, decorative products, kitchenware, utensils, batik and songket.
“By September or October, we hope that there are at least five companies who come on board and sell,” Chew said.

The company also hopes to set up 40 service hubs across the whole of Malaysia in three years.
The technical integration provided by both companies is expected to be completed by end-August which will see faster deliveries and lower returns of postage sent to the eurozone.

The inking ceremony was witnessed by Belgium ambassador to Malaysia Marc Muellie and SME Corp Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Hafsah Hashim.