• Ant International aims to bring onboard more than 500 local Malaysian talents in the first year; majority of roles are tech related, strengthening its presence in Malaysia as a tech hub for its global businesses
• Since 2014, Ant has been working with local partners like TNG Digital, PayNet and most recently, Capital A, in supporting an inclusive and vibrant digital economy in Malaysia

Ant International, a digital payment and financial technology leader dedicated to building an inclusive and sustainable global commerce ecosystem, announced that it will establish a new Digital Business Centre in Malaysia, with a focus on tapping local tech talent to drive its global businesses. Ant International will create more than 500 new job opportunities in the first year, with more hirings in the next four years till 2028.

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Left to right: Nina Xiao, HR Director of Ant International, Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, Nik Naharudin Bin Mohd Nasir, Director, Digital Talent & Entrepreneurship, Digital Industry Acceleration Division, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Nik Hishamuddin bin Nik Mohd Yusoff, Head (Tertiary), Digital Talent & Entrepreneurship Department, Digital Industry Acceleration Division, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). (Photo: Business Wire)

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 & 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.

Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Ts. Mahadhir Aziz said, “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. 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. Congratulations to Ant International for this remarkable achievement and they have our continuous support.”

Ant International is an affiliate of Ant Group, which traces its roots back to Alipay since 2004 and is one of the world’s leading open internet platforms. Ant International comprises four key businesses:

• Alipay+ Cross-Border Mobile Payment Service connects over 88 million merchants to 1.5 billion consumer accounts on over 25 e-wallets and banking apps in 57 countries and regions, allowing consumers to travel and pay worry-free across borders, and merchants to build out cross-border consumer engagement and digital marketing. Alipay+ is integrated with Malaysia’s national QR, DuitNow QR.
• Antom Merchant Payment Services help global merchants to engage digitally with consumers in Asia and beyond.
• WorldFirst digital payment and financial services for cross-border trade SMEs has served over 1 million SMEs to grow internationally with its World Account, with plans to serve Malaysian SMEs by 2024.
• ANEXT Bank, a digital wholesale bank regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, focuses on enabling effortless and accessible financial services to SMEs.

“We’re excited to begin the next chapter of our journey in Malaysia, having contributed to the local fintech industry over the last 10 years, and now look towards the future, one that is more global, more connected, more inclusive and with more exciting ways of doing business,” said Mr. Feagin. “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.”

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. 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 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 10x1000, 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.

“Those who join our team will have a front row seat to global fintech innovation and collaborations, and play a part in our mission to shape the future of fintech and commerce, where every person and every business can thrive. With a focus on supporting the development and growth opportunities of our employees, we not only strengthen our teams but also to contribute to the growth and advancement of the fintech industry in Malaysia,” said Feagin.

About Ant International

Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International powers the future of global commerce with digital innovation for everyone and every business to thrive. In close collaboration with partners, we support merchants of all sizes worldwide to realize their growth aspirations through a comprehensive range of tech-driven digital payment and financial services solutions.

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