Digitising SMEs across industries with affordable all-in-one connectivity and hassle-free financing.

Petaling Jaya, 15 January 2020 - Celcom Axiata Berhad (Celcom) and Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (Alliance Bank) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement, with the objective of collaborating in helping SME owners grow and manage their businesses better with a combination of connectivity and banking solutions.

One such service is the recently launched Celcom Business Suite™ for Retail, powered by the Alliance SME Express Financing package that is adapted to the needs of retailers. It provides businesses with mobile and data connectivity, payment acceptance, and a customer engagement platform. Businesses can obtain easier, faster financing from the bank without the need for collateral. Customers taking up the package will enjoy better pricing value on their telco plan, and preferential rates from the bank.

The MoU was signed by Idham Nawawi, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad, and Joel Kornreich, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank while witnessed by Azlan Zainal Abidin, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Celcom Axiata Berhad, and Dr. Aaron Sum Wei Wern, Group Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Alliance Bank, at Celcom’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya Sentral namely, @celcom.

Commenting on the partnership, Idham Nawawi said Celcom remains committed to be a catalyst in digitising local enterprises and businesses, especially SMEs, with connectivity and financing solutions that will enable and inspire growth within today’s digital economy.

“Retail based SMEs are a large contributor to our nation’s economic landscape and we aim to inculcate a digital business cultured environment for SMEs across various industries. Celcom’s Business Suite™ for Retail when paired with Alliance Bank’s financing solution narrows digital business gaps with innovative digital solutions and easier financing in one package.

“In-line with the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2020, Celcom aims to digitise SMEs with innovative digital solutions that will create an efficient and sustainable business, including the opportunity of commercialising products and services to both local and abroad markets, further contributing to the development of the nation’s digital ecosystem,” Idham said.

Joel Kornreich, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank, said “Alliance Bank and Celcom share the same goals of helping entrepreneurs accelerate their business. Alliance Bank’s vision is to be the preferred bank of business owners. We are focused on helping them, and by extension, their family, employees, and customers, to be financially successful.

“Our partnership with Celcom will enable us to help our combined customer base of over 100,000 SMEs manage their business better and expand quickly. Our understanding of the customers’ telco behavior and usage of banking services will enable us to develop better packages to suit their needs.”

“The partnership will also offer SMEs better access to our services. The bank has a branch network of 82 branches, and Celcom has over 200 SME dealers in their network,” Kornreich added.

Celcom’s Business Suit™ for Retail and Alliance SME Express Financing package have received a positive response. A customer who recently took up the Alliance Bank’s SME Express Financing, Zeptolab Sdn Bhd said, “It was a good experience for me as I didn’t have to go to the bank. The loan application process was simple and fast. I have also upgraded my plan to the Celcom Business Suite™ for Retail as it comes with other value-added services.”

With the collaboration, Celcom and Alliance Bank will organise seminars and get together sessions with industry players and business owners to discuss relevant topics such as e-commerce and digital marketing. Business owners will also have access to Alliance’s BizHub portal that provides exclusive offers for business solutions.

For more information on the Celcom Business Suite™ Retail and Alliance SME Express Financing package, please visit https://www.celcom.com.my/business/products/solutions/business-suite-retail.

Congratulations Celcom and Alliance for the collaboration sealed. (L-R) Idham Nawawi, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad and Joel Kornreich, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank.

About Celcom Axiata Berhad

Celcom is Malaysia’s first and largest private mobile network operator, with over 13 million users on its 2G, 3G and 4G LTE+ networks, covering over 98% of the population. Established in 1988, Celcom is now moving towards integrated multi-access, multimedia services and Internet of Things solutions, in line with evolving technologies and consumer behaviour in Malaysia. A culture that places the customer first is reflected in our award-winning customer service, products, and other corporate accolades at a regional level. Celcom is part of Axiata Group Berhad, one of the region’s largest telecommunications groups actively driving digital transformation across a footprint of 11 markets in ASEAN and South Asia. For more information on Celcom, log on to

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About Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC)

MaGIC enables and supports the sustainable growth of entrepreneurship in Malaysia. MaGIC's goal is to drive sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem development through innovation and creativity by creating value and new economic drive for Malaysia. We help entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey by collaborating with other government agencies, industries and stakeholders. MaGIC offers dynamic programmes, community engagements, capacity-building and impact measurement initiatives for startups and social enterprises alike.

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