Jack Ma becomes digital economy adviser for Malaysia
The founder and executive chairman of China’s hugely successful e-commerce corporation Alibaba Group, Jack Ma, has been appointed advisor to the Malaysian government to assist in the development of the country’s digital economy. This role means that Malaysia will welcome him regularly in the next few years as he helps shaping the country’s digital future.
The announcement was made at a press meeting at the new Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 22, an “e-hub” established together with Alibaba Group and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. It follows an announcement that Alibaba will establish a regional distribution hub for the goods it sells online within KLIA Aeropolis, a 24,700-acre development close to the airport led by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd that focuses on logistics, aviation and conference facilities.
Jack Ma, who emphasized that he isn’t get paid for his advisory role and doesn’t want to, said he will bring more partners to work with Malaysian businesses and the government. In a first step, Alibaba Group and its affiliated firms are participating in four segments of the DFTZ, namely the e-fulfilment hub, the e-service platform, e-payment and financing, as well as e-talent development. He noted, though, that the DFTZ will be a Malaysian and not an Alibaba business.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak expressed his pride that Malaysia is the first to officially partner with Alibaba outside China. The country has set a target to double the e-commerce sector’s GDP contribution to 211 billion ringgit ($47.62 billion) by 2020.
Earlier, there were talks that Ma could take on a digital advisory role for Indonesia, but this didn’t materialise. Last year, Jack Ma held talks with the Thai government which is currently formulating a strategy for its own digital economy, dubbed Thailand 4.0, and has been invited to boost e-commerce for small and medium-sized companies and stimulate e-payment. However, he wasn’t offered an official advisory role.
The founder and executive chairman of China's hugely successful e-commerce corporation Alibaba Group, Jack Ma, has been appointed advisor to the Malaysian government to assist in the development of the country's digital economy. This role means that Malaysia will welcome him regularly in the next few years as he helps shaping the country's digital future. The announcement was made at a press meeting at the new Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 22, an "e-hub" established together with Alibaba Group and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. It follows an announcement that Alibaba will establish a...
The founder and executive chairman of China’s hugely successful e-commerce corporation Alibaba Group, Jack Ma, has been appointed advisor to the Malaysian government to assist in the development of the country’s digital economy. This role means that Malaysia will welcome him regularly in the next few years as he helps shaping the country’s digital future.
The announcement was made at a press meeting at the new Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 22, an “e-hub” established together with Alibaba Group and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. It follows an announcement that Alibaba will establish a regional distribution hub for the goods it sells online within KLIA Aeropolis, a 24,700-acre development close to the airport led by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd that focuses on logistics, aviation and conference facilities.
Jack Ma, who emphasized that he isn’t get paid for his advisory role and doesn’t want to, said he will bring more partners to work with Malaysian businesses and the government. In a first step, Alibaba Group and its affiliated firms are participating in four segments of the DFTZ, namely the e-fulfilment hub, the e-service platform, e-payment and financing, as well as e-talent development. He noted, though, that the DFTZ will be a Malaysian and not an Alibaba business.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak expressed his pride that Malaysia is the first to officially partner with Alibaba outside China. The country has set a target to double the e-commerce sector’s GDP contribution to 211 billion ringgit ($47.62 billion) by 2020.
Earlier, there were talks that Ma could take on a digital advisory role for Indonesia, but this didn’t materialise. Last year, Jack Ma held talks with the Thai government which is currently formulating a strategy for its own digital economy, dubbed Thailand 4.0, and has been invited to boost e-commerce for small and medium-sized companies and stimulate e-payment. However, he wasn’t offered an official advisory role.
