DPA News
DPA and the Singapore Global Network (SGN) organized a networking event in Jakarta on 12 October 2023, bringing together over 70 individuals representing 40+ digital SMBs, trade associations, and international policymakers to discuss SMBs’ regional partnership and expansion opportunities in Singapore and APAC.
WTO PF DPA participated in the WTO Public Forum 2023 in Geneva. The Coalition contributed to a panel discussion around the WTO E-Commerce Moratorium on 15th September 2023, informing various industry leaders and policymakers on the perspectives of SMEs across Asia-Pacific.
WTO PF DPA participated in the WTO Public Forum 2023 in Geneva. The Coalition contributed to a panel discussion around the WTO E-Commerce Moratorium on 15th September 2023, informing various industry leaders and policymakers on the perspectives of SMEs across Asia-Pacific.
WTO PF DPA participated in the WTO Public Forum 2023 in Geneva. The Coalition contributed to a panel discussion around the WTO E-Commerce Moratorium on 15th September 2023, informing various industry leaders and policymakers on the perspectives of SMEs across Asia-Pacific.
The DPA Indonesia Launch Event was held on 12 April 2023 at the WeWork Parc18 in Jakarta. The event attracted a sizeable crowd consisting of representatives from Indonesian SMEs and other affiliated organizations. Representatives from several Indonesian government agencies such as KOMINFO, the Ministry of Finance, and The Indonesian were in attendance on our panels, and DPA members were given the opportunity to engage with them directly on key issues regarding cross-border data flows and digital trade. Government representatives in attendance were: • Puti Adella Elvina, Head of MSME Digital Technology Adoption Team, KOMINFO • Dr. Adi Budiarso, Head of the Center for Financial Sector Policy, Ministry of Finance • Hazremi Hamid, Senior Officer at Digital Economy Division, ASEAN Secretariat • Widya Prima Sari Fultanegara, Policy Analyst, LKPP
The DPA organized an event on the sidelines of the IPEF trade negotiation round in Singapore, entitled Digital Trade & IPEF: Challenges and Opportunities for Regional SMEs & Start-ups on 10 May 2023. Trade negotiators and representatives from participating IPEF member states, including Singapore, Japan, The Philippines, Australia, and the United States were present, and heard perspectives from DPA Members Kinobi and Accredify, on the role digital trade could play in mitigating barriers to entry for SMEs seeking to expand into the APAC region.
As a part of Startup 20 engagement forum of the G20 presidency, DPA supported Savishkar India, and National Stock Exchange (NSE), to organize a roundtable conference titled “Blockchain Revolution: Unlocking Startup Opportunities in India” on 20th July 2023 at NSE, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai. The round table conference, which was attended by 54 participants emphasized on how blockchain technology has the ability to revolutionize the startup ecosystem. Key stakeholders from National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM), Atal Incubation Center (ATAL- AIC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Entrepreneurship (IEEE entrepreneurship) were a part of the discussions. The objective was to foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, and policy discussions that will pave the way for unlocking the full potential of blockchain technology and its uses. DPA was represented by APCO team there, and along with introducing DPA to the audience, its vision, mission and goal was shared. The start ups were invited to be a part of the initiative.
The DPA participated in NATEC’s Open Innovation Day, held on 20 July 2023 at the Novaland Gallary in Ho Chi Minh City. Mr Aditya Batura, co-founder of Singaporean DPA member company CODOMO, was present at the event, and signed an agreement with NATEC, the Center For Social Innovation And Entrepreneurship Under Vietnam’s National Economics University (CSIE), and Climate Technology firm Benkon on entrepreneurship promotion and policy development. DPA’s Vietnam secretariat was also present at the event and engaged with start-ups in attendance.
A DPA Outreach Event in Taiwan was held at the Regent Hotel in Taipei on 3 July 2023. At this event, DPA members and secretariat representatives from Singapore delivered an introduction on the DPA’s principles, objectives, and impact in the region to an assembled group of approximately 15 Taiwanese digital start-ups. This event created positive word-of-mouth within the Taiwanese digital start-up scene and has laid the foundation for a subsequent launch event later this year.
The DPA Thailand Launch Event was held on 31 May 2023 at JustCo @ Mitrtown Offices in Bangkok. The DPA Thailand secretariat were able to secure the attendance of government officials from a range of ministries and agencies playing key roles in the development of Thailand’s Digital Economy. DPA members in attendance were able to present their views on the state of Thailand’s SME ecosystem, and actions that could be taken to lower barriers to entry, in line with the DPA’s principles and values. Government representatives in attendance were: • Mr. Pathomdanai Ponjan, Phd., Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society • Ms. Ployrawee Kirkpankul, Director of Digital Economy Drive Division, Office of the National Digital Economy, and Society Commission • Mr. Tyn Tawitaranond, Deputy Executive Director, Electronic Transaction Digital Agency
The DPA Vietnam Launch Event was held on 5 July 2023 at the headquarters of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation Development (NATEC) in Hanoi. The event was co-organized with NATEC and attracted a sizeable crowd consisting of prominent members from Vietnam’s digital industry associations, start-up incubators, and a range of Vietnamese digital SMEs. At the event, the DPA signed an MOU with NATEC’s implementation arm, the Open Innovation & Technopreneur Institute (OITI). Across two panel discussions, DPA members including Kinobi, EngageRocket, and Quickwork were able to engage directly with Vietnamese government officials on barriers to entry, and advocate for industry-friendly policy developments. Government representatives in attendance included: • Mr. Trong Khanh, National Digital Transformation, Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam • Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director General of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (NATEC), Ministry of Science and Technology • Mr. Nguyen Hoa Cuong, Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management
About DPA
Shared prosperity for Asia, By Asia
We bring together like-minded Asian companies in the digital space for local value creation and bridging economic inequality.
We are looking for more like-minded APAC companies that recognize the importance of growing the digital economy for local value creation and for shared economic prosperity across APAC to join the coalition.
An APAC-centric approach that combines bottom-up policy advocacy with social impact.
We are an Asia-centric Coalition
Representing voices of Asian companies of all sizes, supporting Asia best practices in the digital environment.
Speak Local. Be Local
Understand local policy priorities. Have local partners, a local impact, local connections and access to local market access and compliance support
Policy Insights
Give back to grow the local digital economy and promote business-friendly digital policies as government allies