Entrepreneurship & MSMEs

About this programme

Highlight

The 2030 Horizon: Redefining Economic Integration and Resilience

On 12 June 2025, the Tech for Good Institute moderated a panel entitled “The 2030 Horizon: Redefining Economic Integration and Resilience” at the Regional Socialisation
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Unlocking the Digital Potential of ASEAN’s Small Businesses

The rapid development of Southeast Asia's digital economy is affecting MSMEs. This article highlights their efforts to adapt to technological advancements and explains how innovative,
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How AI Can Expand Economic Mobility & Workforce Inclusion

On February 25, 2025, the Tech for Good Institute (TFGI) participated in a panel entitled “How AI Can Expand Economic Mobility & Workforce Inclusion” at
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The Importance of Humanising AI in Business: Transforming the Modern Workforce

This article is based on the keynote address given by Mr. Fabian Bigar, Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital, at the International Innovation Summit
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Harnessing Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development

On 24 January 2025, the Tech for Good Institute (TFGI) moderated a panel entitled "Harnessing Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development" at the Sustainable Tech Forum
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The ASEAN DEFA: Empowering Indonesia’s MSMEs

The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) — the world's first major region-wide digital economy agreement — has entered its two-year negotiation phase.

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Featured authors

Research

Rigorous studies and data that inform regional tech policies

Resources 06 Nov 2025

Promoting Regional Cooperation for Responsible AI Deployment

To foster dialogue on responsible artificial intelligence (AI) governance, the Tech for Good Institute (TFGI) has published a policy brief. This brief examines current developments across the six major Southeast Asian economies (SEA-6)—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—and recommends some policy priorities aimed at promoting safe, inclusive, and interoperable AI ecosystems throughout the region.

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Resources 30 Jun 2025

Digital Platforms Benefit for Policy Implementation: Transforming Public Service Delivery

Digital platforms across Southeast Asia (SEA) have transformed from basic transaction facilitators into integral components of national digital infrastructure. This shift presents significant opportunities for governments to enhance policy implementation and public service delivery. However, effectively leveraging these platforms requires new approaches to public-private collaboration and a deeper understanding of platform economics in governance contexts.

This research initiative explores these opportunities through workshops in three SEA markets, culminating in a comprehensive analysis and policy recommendations for the region.

Insights

Expert analysis on regional emerging trends

Country Spotlights 27 Oct 2026

What ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement Means for Philippine MSMEs

Following the conclusion of negotiations in May 2026, tech policy veteran Monchito Ibrahim examines how the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) can propel local small enterprises into regional powerhouses—if national implementation leaves no business behind.

Country Spotlights 15 Sep 2026

ASEAN’s 11th Member: Charting Timor-Leste’s Digital Future

Admission as ASEAN's 11th member offers Timor-Leste a clear pathway to diversify beyond oil through the digital economy. However, infrastructure gaps, high internet costs, and low digital literacy threaten to stall progress. This article examines the structural hurdles and strategic opportunities defining Timor-Leste's regional integration.

Perspectives 28 Aug 2026

How AI Levels the Playing Field for Small Businesses

As AI adoption unfolds across ASEAN, early ecosystem-based interventions are critical to prevent market dominance by large enterprises. This article explores how policymakers can level the playing field to support Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at varying stages of maturity.

Engagements

Dialogues connecting policymakers, researchers and industry

Event Highlights 05 Oct 2026

Bridging the AI Readiness Gap for Southeast Asia’s SMEs

Event Highlights 28 Aug 2026

Building the AI Capabilities Southeast Asia’s SMEs Need to Stay Competitive

Event Highlights 28 Aug 2026

From Policy to Delivery: Building Digital Capability

Across the region

Country Spotlights 30 Jan 2026

Securing the Future Harvest: Financial Innovation as Malaysia’s Food Security Imperative

In this article, Arifah Sharifuddin, Institute Director at Tech for Good Institute, outlines how Malaysia’s food security goals hinge on easing financial and risk barriers for smallholders.

Country Spotlights 11 Aug 2025

Finding the Regulatory Balance Amidst Malaysia’s E-Commerce Growth

In this article, Hafidzi Razali, Spokesperson for E-Commerce Chapter of the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) examines Malaysia's evolving tech governance landscape, using the proposed E-Commerce Law as a lens to explore the challenges of regulating a rapidly growing digital economy.

Perspectives 22 Jan 2025

Charting Malaysia’s Digital Future: A Digital Odyssey

In the rapidly evolving global digital landscape, Malaysia must chart an ambitious course towards technological transformation. As 2025 approaches, the nation should not merely adapt to the digital age but actively reshape its economic and social fabric through a bold, comprehensive digital strategy. In this article, Fabian Bigar, Secretary General of Malaysia's Ministry of Digital, shares his aspirations and vision for 2025, with a particular focus on the future of Malaysia's digital landscape.

Country Spotlights 24 Aug 2026

Beyond Credit Access: Regulatory Gaps in Thailand’s Data-Driven Finance for MSMEs

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) drive Thailand’s economy, yet credit gaps and collateral shortfalls severely constrain their growth. In response, the Bank of Thailand launched its "Three Opens" financial reform. This article examines the initiative's data-driven approach, identifies key regulatory bottlenecks, and offers policy recommendations to build a more inclusive digital finance ecosystem.

Perspectives 06 Feb 2025

The ASEAN DEFA: Empowering Indonesia’s MSMEs

The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) — the world's first major region-wide digital economy agreement — has entered its two-year negotiation phase. In this article, we invite OVO, Indonesia's leading e-wallet application, to share insights on DEFA's implementation, its impact on private sector operations, current challenges, and future strategies.

Country Spotlights 27 Oct 2026

What ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement Means for Philippine MSMEs

Following the conclusion of negotiations in May 2026, tech policy veteran Monchito Ibrahim examines how the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) can propel local small enterprises into regional powerhouses—if national implementation leaves no business behind.

Country Spotlights 12 Nov 2025

Platforms of Progress: How Digital Platforms Are Reshaping Service Delivery In The Philippines

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the Philippines’ digital transformation, compelling a strategic shift toward digital platforms for public benefit. Key thought leaders recently convened to discuss leveraging these platforms beyond commerce to enhance governance and social inclusion. In this article, Monchito Ibrahim, Lead Convenor of ATIN, explores how public-private partnerships are streamlining aid, expanding education, and empowering MSMEs, and shares strategic recommendations for building an inclusive, citizen-centric digital state.

Perspectives 24 Oct 2025

Enabling a Digital Future that Works for Every Filipino

This article is based on the opening remarks given by Assistant Secretary Celine Dee at the Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia: Spotlight on the Philippines, held on 24 July 2025, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Country Spotlights 15 Sep 2026

ASEAN’s 11th Member: Charting Timor-Leste’s Digital Future

Admission as ASEAN's 11th member offers Timor-Leste a clear pathway to diversify beyond oil through the digital economy. However, infrastructure gaps, high internet costs, and low digital literacy threaten to stall progress. This article examines the structural hurdles and strategic opportunities defining Timor-Leste's regional integration.

Perspectives 28 Aug 2026

How AI Levels the Playing Field for Small Businesses

As AI adoption unfolds across ASEAN, early ecosystem-based interventions are critical to prevent market dominance by large enterprises. This article explores how policymakers can level the playing field to support Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at varying stages of maturity.

Country Spotlights 24 Aug 2026

Beyond Credit Access: Regulatory Gaps in Thailand’s Data-Driven Finance for MSMEs

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) drive Thailand’s economy, yet credit gaps and collateral shortfalls severely constrain their growth. In response, the Bank of Thailand launched its "Three Opens" financial reform. This article examines the initiative's data-driven approach, identifies key regulatory bottlenecks, and offers policy recommendations to build a more inclusive digital finance ecosystem.

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Focus areas that might interest you

Digital Economy

Tech Governance

Examining how Southeast Asia is shaping tech governance through evolving regulation, policy innovation, and regional cooperation to support responsible digital development.

Digital Economy

Responsible AI Adoption

Examining how AI can be adopted responsibly to strengthen businesses, improve livelihoods, and address emerging risks across Southeast Asia.

Digital Society

Inclusive Digital Growth

Exploring how Southeast Asia can foster more inclusive digital growth through stronger readiness, participation, and future-ready digital capabilities.

Digital Economy

Financial Inclusion

Exploring how digital technologies can expand financial inclusion and improve access to financial services for underserved communities across Southeast Asia.

Digital Economy

Digital Sustainability

Exploring how Southeast Asia can harness digital innovation, regional cooperation, and responsible business to advance sustainable development and growth.

Digital Economy

Digital Resilience

Examining how Southeast Asian economies can strengthen resilience against cyber threats through stronger capabilities, coordination, and adaptive governance.

Digital Society

Digital Platforms for Public Benefit

Examining how digital platforms can create public value through inclusive access, cross-sector collaboration, and more effective digital governance in Southeast Asia.

Digital Society

Confident Digital Society

Exploring how Southeast Asia can build a more confident digital society through stronger trust, resilience, and protection against emerging digital risks.

EXPLORE

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Mouna Aouri

Programme Fellow

Mouna Aouri is an Institute Fellow at the Tech For Good Institute. As a social entrepreneur, impact investor, and engineer, her experience spans over two decades in the MENA region, South East Asia, and Japan. She is founder of Woomentum, a Singapore-based platform dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in APAC through skill development and access to growth capital through strategic collaborations with corporate entities, investors and government partners.

Dr Ming Tan

Senior Fellow & Founding Executive Director

Dr Ming Tan is Senior Fellow at the Tech for Good Institute; where she served as founding Executive Director of the non-profit focused on research and policy at the intersection of technology, society and the economy in Southeast Asia. She is concurrently a Senior Fellow at and the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore and Advisor to the Founder of the COMO Group, a Singaporean portfolio of lifestyle companies operating in 15 countries worldwide. Ming was previously Managing Director of IPOS International, part of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. Prior to joining the public sector, she was Head of Stewardship of the COMO Group.


Ming also serves on the boards of several private companies, Singapore’s National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), and on the Digital and Technology Advisory Panel for Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay, Singapore’s national performing arts centre. Her current portfolio spans philanthropy, social impact, sustainability and innovation.