UOB FinLab launches in Indonesia to digitalise and to grow local businesses

UOB Indonesia launched UOB FinLab, UOB’s flagship innovation accelerator to help local businesses grow and transform digitally, on 19 September 2023. UOB Finlab’s expansion to Indonesia is a key milestone as this means that it is now present in each of UOB’s five key ASEAN markets, which includes Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Our presence in the five key ASEAN markets will enable UOB FinLab to scale our strong regional ecosystem network for cross-border capacity building to digitalise, to upskill and to support businesses across the region.”

– Mr Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab

As part of the launch, UOB FinLab in Indonesia kickstarted its inaugural digitalisation programme UKM SUKSES Sistem Usaha Kreatif dan Solusi Ekonomi Sejahtera (Business Operations and Creative Solutions for economic success, for small- and medium-sized enterprises). The two-day programme was designed to equip participants with knowledge, strategies and practical tips for adopting digital technologies in e-commerce, digital marketing and logistics. This empowers them to successfully digitalise while growing their businesses.

From left to right: Mr Hendra Gunawan, Country CEO, UOB Indonesia (UOBI); Ms Marianne Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab; Ms Novianty Widjaya, Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation Head, UOBI; Mr Sona Maesana, Chairman, Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia (HIPMI JAYA) (Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association); Mr Edisono Limin, Head of Channels and Digitalisation, UOBI; Ms Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Chairwoman, Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia (APINDO) (The Employers’ Association of Indonesia); Ms Janet Young, Managing Director, Head of Group Channels and Digitalisation, Head of Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB; Mr Leonard Theosabrat, President Director, Small & Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives (SMESCO); and Mr Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab.

UOB FinLab in Indonesia also signed Memorandums of Understanding with local ecosystem partners such as the Employers’ Association of Indonesia (APINDO), the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI JAYA) and SMESCO, the Indonesian Public Service Agency for Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives. The Memorandums of Understanding will allow UOB FinLab to build an interconnected, supportive and vibrant ecosystem for businesses to grow digitally and sustainably. The collaboration covers cross-border sharing of knowledge, programmes and expertise to digitalise, to upskill and to support 5,000 businesses in the next three years.

“Indonesia has seen an accelerated growth in digitalisation over the years, largely driven by start-ups entering the digital ecosystem. At UOB Indonesia, we believe that support from the government, private sector and public is crucial to create a conducive ecosystem to support the growth of the digital industry. UOB FinLab’s presence in Indonesia will enable us to provide local businesses with the tools, knowledge and resources needed to increase the competitiveness of their digital products and services.”

– Mr Hendra Gunawan, Country CEO, UOBI

“Digital adoption can be challenging for businesses in Indonesia as well as around the region, especially so for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We are here to support them in their digitalisation journey by providing customised solutions, networks and essential learning opportunities, starting with our UKM SUKSES programme.”