On 14 November, the DEX Connex 2024 was successfully held in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Organized by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), with support from Sunwah Innovations as the exclusive Strategic Partner, the Event welcomed distinguished guests including Mr. Firdauz Othman – Consul General of Malaysia in HCMC, and Mr. Wei Huaxiang – Consul General of China in HCMC. The event also attracted nearly 200 attendees, including senior leaders, representatives of Chambers of Commerce and business associations, investment funds, and technology companies in Vietnam and Malaysia.
From left to right: Mr. Firdaus Muhammad – Assistant Trade Commissioner of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Mr. Jesse Choi – Regional Director of Sunwah Group in Southeast Asia, Mr. Balasubramaniam S Arunasalam – Director of Digital Export Development, MDEC, Mr. Firdauz Othman – Consul General of Malaysia in HCMC, Mr. Wei Huaxiang – Consul General of China in HCMC, and Ms. Mai Phong Lan – Deputy Head of the Division of Enterprise, Cooperative Economy and Private Sector, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning & Investment
Following the success of the 2023 program, Dex Connex 2024 continues to serve as a bridge promoting technological collaboration between Vietnam and Malaysia, aiming for sustainable growth and innovation, The event serves as a platform where Vietnamese and Malaysian businesses can meet, exchange, and explore business cooperation opportunities. The event focused on digital technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and many other advanced technologies, opening up opportunities for technology transfer and market expansion for businesses from both sides.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Balasubramaniam S Arunasalam, Director of Digital Export, MDEC, said that MDEC is committed to supporting Malaysian technology companies in expanding to international markets and strengthening bilateral collaborations to drive innovation and economic growth. To fulfill this commitment, MDEC has brought 30 Malaysian tech companies to DEX Connex 2024, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of all involved partners.
Mr. Firdauz Othman, Consul General of Malaysia in HCMC, highlighted the long-standing relationship between Vietnam and Malaysia. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the two countries have built a strategic partnership with significant achievements in areas such as trade, economy, education, culture, and information technology. In recent years, cooperation in the digital economy and technology sectors has seen strong development, presenting great opportunities for startups and tech companies from both sides.
Represent the Strategic Partner of DEX Connex 2024, Mr. Jesse Choi, General Director of Sunwah Group in Southeast Asia and CEO of Sunwah Innovations, emphasized that in recent years, Sunwah Group has coordinated with chambers of commerce, business associations and partners in the ecosystem in Vietnam and internationally to organize market development programs and business forums. These activities support governments, investors, and businesses in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Vietnam and other ASEAN countries. Notably, in 2023, Sunwah Innovations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MDEC, committing to leverage Sunwah’s resources to support Malaysian tech companies in expanding their businesses internationally, especially in markets where Sunwah has a strong presence, particularly Vietnam.
Mr. Jesse Choi, General Director of Sunwah Group in Southeast Asia and CEO of Sunwah Innovations
In addition to useful sharing from Vietnamese and Malaysian businesses operating in Vietnam about the business environment here, the morning program also included a presentation by Mr. Firdaus Muhammad – Assistant Trade Counselor of Malaysia External Trade Development (MATRADE), introducing programs and support from MATRADE to promote bilateral trade cooperation between the two countries. Following that, Ms. Thuy Ho, Director of External Relations of Sunwah Group in Vietnam, shared about Sunwah Innovations’ commitment and efforts in developing the innovation startup ecosystem, with a focus on strengthening connections and expanding market opportunities for startups in Vietnam and the region.
Panel discussion “Navigating business landscape in Vietnam”
Malaysian businesses also proposed technological solutions to Sunwah’s business challenges in the real estate and retail sectors, creating a premise for understanding the Vietnamese market, developing cooperation opportunities with Sunwah as well as local businesses.
Representative of Malaysian tech company presented solution for Sunwah’s industry challenges
During the event, several important memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements were signed between Malaysian and Vietnamese companies. These partnerships aim to promote innovation, enhance competitiveness, and create new development opportunities in the digital sector by leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise. Companies participating in the signing included Finhero from Malaysia and Solarvest from Vietnam, Sandmerit from Malaysia and Wemonster Company Limited from Vietnam. These partnerships have resulted in contracts worth more than RM 150 million (about USD 34 million), highlighting the important role of the program in promoting Malaysian technology and innovation internationally.
MOU between MDEC and Sunwah Innovations
The afternoon program featured a Business Networking session with one-on-one meetings, attracting the participation of 30 technology companies from Malaysia and dozens of leading Vietnamese businesses such as FPT, TMA Solutions, UOB, BIDV, and Vietcombank, among others. Over 40 successful meetings were held, providing businesses with opportunities to introduce their products and services, explore collaboration needs and potential, and establish new relationships to expand their business and foster sustainable growth in the region.
Business Networking session with one-on-one meetings
DEX Connex is a program organized by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to promote cross-border business cooperation for Malaysian technology companies. The program provides a platform to connect technology businesses, investors and partners from ASEAN countries, thereby supporting Malaysian companies to expand into international markets, strengthen cooperation and share technology. DEX Connex has been successfully held in many countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, with more than 150 participating companies, helping to sign important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and create opportunities to increase digital export value worth more than 130 million USD.
The DEX Connex Vietnam 2024 is the result of collaborative efforts with key partners, including the Consulate General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in Vietnam, Sunwah Innovations (Vietnam), the Malaysian Business Chamber in Vietnam, the Hong Kong Business Association in Vietnam, the China Business Association Ho Chi Minh City Branch and Innolab Asia.
