Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) formalised a strategic partnership with Kintone Southeast Asia Sdn Bhd (Kintone) on Tuesday to drive digital adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak. This collaboration, which aligns with the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, aims to bridge the digital divide and equip businesses with innovative technological solutions.
The partnership was marked by the inaugural SME Digital Transformation Seminar, co-hosted by SDEC and Kintone in Kuching. The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, and business owners to explore how digital tools can enhance operational efficiency and business growth.
SMEs make up more than 97 per cent of Malaysian businesses, making them the backbone of the economy. However, many struggle with digital adoption due to financial and technical barriers. Kintone’s no-code platform aims to address these challenges by providing cost-effective, user-friendly solutions that simplify business processes.
“Kintone’s no-code platform is designed to simplify complicated workflow processes, allowing small and mid-sized businesses in industries such as tourism, construction, and retail to build custom applications at a fraction of the cost,” said Tsubasa Nakazawa, managing director of Kintone Southeast Asia. “This removes the burden of expensive IT expenditures that most businesses struggle to keep up with.”
Nakazawa emphasised that the partnership with SDEC represents a shared commitment to making digital innovation accessible to all businesses, regardless of their technical expertise. “At the heart of this seminar—and indeed the broader collaboration between SDEC and Kintone—is the conviction that technology should empower people, not overwhelm them. By providing user-friendly solutions, we can foster an environment where everyone can innovate.”
Sarawak has been at the forefront of digital transformation, with the state government investing in infrastructure and strategic partnerships to support a sustainable digital economy. The SDEC-Kintone partnership reflects this commitment by offering SMEs practical tools to streamline operations and improve competitiveness in an increasingly digital landscape.
The seminar showcased how Kintone’s platform enables businesses to enhance productivity, collaboration, and efficiency without requiring extensive IT knowledge. Participants engaged in hands-on demonstrations and discussions on the impact of digitalisation on business sustainability.
As part of their long-term vision, SDEC and Kintone aim to expand their digital outreach across Sarawak and beyond. With Kintone already serving over 37,000 businesses globally, this initiative is expected to benefit a wide range of enterprises, from startups to established companies looking to modernise their operations.
“With digital transformation playing an essential role in Sarawak’s evolving economy, this partnership underscores the importance of accessible, adaptable solutions for businesses of all sizes,” said Nakazawa. “We look forward to seeing the continued impact of this collaboration in the months and years ahead.”
The SDEC-Kintone partnership marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s digitalisation journey, reinforcing the role of technology as a key driver of economic growth and innovation. 
