KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s eCommerce sector recorded steady upward momentum, with annual income reaching RM1.23 trillion in 2024, and already RM625bil in the first half of financial year 2025, according to the Statistics Department.

The value of the regional digital economy is expected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030, with eCommerce as the fastest-growing sector at a compound annual growth rate of 22%.

The Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry in a strategic collaboration with Malaysia’s eCommerce market through the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) will organise the Asean ECommerce Conference 2025, in conjunction with Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean this year.

With the theme “Asean ECommerce Transformation: Bridging Gaps, Enhancing Competitiveness”, the main objective of the conference is to make eCommerce a key driver of the Asean economy while reinforcing regulations to safeguard consumer protection.

It aims to strengthen the bridge between the industry and the regulator, foster meaningful dialogue on the challenges ahead and create an inclusive eCommerce ecosystem.

Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh, who attended the event, said the conference reflects a commitment to strengthen digital trust, drive innovation and ensure holistic digital economic growth in Asean.

In addition, the area of focus includes cross-border regulatory challenges, access to digital finance such as Buy Now Pay Later and efforts to empower micro, small and medium enterprise entrepreneurs through eCommerce.

MICCI president Christina Tee said: “For eCommerce to keep lifting our economies, we must build in safe guidance, strengthen trust and ensure that the opportunity is not just concentrated in a few hands but accessible across the ecosystem.

“The Asean digital economy must grow, not only in size, but also in strength and trust, hence this conference will be one of the most significant convenings under Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship.”

The conference is also supported by leading domestic eCommerce industry players namely Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, Mudah.my and Carousell, bringing together policymakers, regulatory agencies, industry players and online entrepreneurs from across Asean to discuss strategic direction for a dynamic and competitive regional eCommerce transformation.

The Asean ECommerce Conference 2025 is expected to attract more than 350 participants with 14 discussion sessions featuring 33 panelists from the public and private sectors across the region.