Upskilling: An Important Currency That Buys SMEs a Future in the Digital Age
Upskilling is the key investment that empowers SMEs to fully leverage technology, stay competitive, and thrive in ASEAN’s fast-evolving digital economy.
UOB FinLab Vietnam: Digital Gateway to Global Markets — Event Recap
Event Overview
UOB FinLab marked another milestone in its ASEAN journey with the launch of Digital Gateway to Global Markets in Vietnam. The programme was designed to accompany enterprises on their journey to expand business operations into international markets through a comprehensive suite of solutions such as financial services and digital enablers. The event brought together business leaders, experts, and SMEs to share insights on navigating global markets, harnessing digital platforms, and overcoming cross-border challenges.
Programme Opening
Welcome Address by Jimmy Tay
Opening address: Mr Jimmy Tay, Country head of Channels and Digitisation, UOB Vietnam
Opening the event, Mr. Jimmy Tay, Country head of Channels and Digitisation at UOB Vietnam, set the tone by underscoring how growth is no longer confined within national borders. Drawing on findings from the UOB business outlook study, he shared that 90% of Vietnamese businesses are actively exploring overseas opportunities, a reflection of their drive to diversify, scale and build resilience against global headwinds. He also stressed that digitisation has become the cornerstone of competitiveness, with nine out of ten companies planning to increase investment in digital solutions this year.
Introducing FinLab
Introducing FinLab: Mr Shannon Lung, Head of FinLab and Ecosystem Partnerships,UOB
Following this, Mr Shannon Lung shared how FinLab has been empowering SMEs across the region since 2015, supporting 33,000 businesses through programmes in digitisation, sustainability and most recently AI. He highlighted initiatives such as the Sustainability Innovation Programme, the GreenTech Accelerator and the Digitisation Innovation Programme for Womenpreneurs. He also celebrated FinLab’s progress in Vietnam, with more than 3,000 SMEs supported to date since its first programme launch in Vietnam in 2023. FinLab also started its Hanoi chapter in 2024, supporting SME businesses in the north of Vietnam.
Programme Introduction
Programme introduction: Ms Nguyen Thu Thao, Head, Strategic Alliance & OFEI, UOB Vietnam
Ms Nguyen Thu Thao took the stage to outline the objectives and structure of the Digital Gateway to Global Markets programme. Ms Thao described the “DNA” of UOB FinLab as being built on three pilars: creating connection and collaboration opportunities, updating knowledge through market experts and ultimately growing together as a community.
Keynote sharing
Export with confidence: Navigating Global Market through FX and Economic Insight
Keynote sharing: Mr. Suan Teck Kin, CFA, Head of Research, Global Economics and Markets Research, UOB
Mr. Suan Teck Kin opened the session by outlining macroeconomic trends and foreign exchange considerations for Vietnamese SMEs aspiring to scale abroad. He provided a positive outlook for Vietnam and the ASEAN region, citing how geopolitical factors have accelerated supply chain shifts, with Vietnam as a primary beneficiary.
He also stressed the importance of working with a trusted partner like UOB to navigate cross-border opportunities as they not only provide financial services such as working capital but also provide cross-border support through its ecosystem partners in accounting, legal advisory and logistics.
“Trusted partners help you explore opportunities and reduce risk. UOB is able to provide cross-border support – including market support, because we are an established player in Southeast Asia and have a presence in many gateway cities.”— Suan Teck Kin
Expert talk
Digital Trade, Real Growth: How Alibaba Powers Cross-Border Trade and AI Application Success for Enterprises
Expert talk: Speaker: Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen, Marketing Director, Alibaba.com
Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen shared Alibaba’s role in empowering Vietnamese enterprises to reach new markets. Acknowledging the uncertainty in the global trade market, she stresses the need to adopt technology driven solutions to turn turbulence into momentum. With this, she showcased how digital platforms and AI applications are lowering barriers to entry and accelerating cross-border success. She also introduced Accio, Alibaba’s global sourcing agentic AI, which help businesses digitise their sourcing process. Alibaba has also begun training local companies on the export process through Ali-Edu, a series of free online training videos and 1-1 consultations.
“At Alibaba.com, we believe that empowering the enterprise of customers requires a strong collaborative ecosystem…That’s why we appreciate and want to work further with UOB to provide end-to-end support for SMEs to scale their business faster. ” — Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen
Panel discussion
Beyond Borders: Navigating Trade Barriers, Legal Shifts & Financial Leverage in Vietnam’s B2B Landscape
From right to left: Moderator: Tran Phuong Minh Trang, AHK Vietnam, Speakers: Juergen Werber, Country Director, Logwin Air + Ocean Vietnam; Chairman, Transportation & Logistics Sector Committee at EuroCham, Nguyen Van Du, Partner, BDO in Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen, Marketing Director, Alibaba.com, Suan Teck Kin, CFA, Head of Research, UOB
The panel brought together experts from finance, e-commerce, legal, and logistics to discuss how Vietnamese SMEs can expand into international markets. Topics included trade barriers, legal frameworks, supply chain readiness, and financing solutions.
Mr. Nguyen Van Du emphasised the importance of legal and tax clarity:
Nguyen Van Du, Partner, BDO in Vietnam
“Understanding regulatory changes early helps SMEs avoid costly mistakes and gives them a competitive edge”, he said, highlighting the growing importance of compliance under new customs and tax frameworks.
Mr. Juergen Werber highlighted logistics and supply chain readiness:
Juergen Werber, Country Director, Logwin Air + Ocean Vietnam; Chairman, Transportation & Logistics Sector Committee at EuroCham
“A solid logistics strategy is critical. Without it, even the best product cannot reach the market efficiently.” He added that cross-border logistics “can make or break export success,” with cost, delivery and transparency on lead times being key.
From right to left: Alibaba.com, Suan Teck Kin, CFA, Head of Research, UOB, Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen, Marketing Director,
Ms Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen focused on how Alibaba.com assists Vietnamese businesses in expanding. She shared that “Alibaba.com provides companies with data insights for their products to be more competitive in foreign markets,” and added that Alibaba.com is open to partnerships with organisations such as UOB that can provide localszed support to companies looking to expand abroad.
Mr Suan Teck Kin reiterated how UOB supports exporters in managing financial risk and funding cross-border growth. He explained that “UOB has a full suite of products that includes working capital and trade financing for companies to explore.” He also noted that UOB has an FDI advisory team that helps inbound and outbound companies in Southeast Asia.
Together, the panel emphasised that collaboration across finance, digital platforms, legal frameworks, and logistics networks is the key to helping SMEs thrive globally.
Closing and networking
The event concluded with an engaging networking session, where SMEs, partners, and industry leaders connected to explore opportunities for collaboration. Attendees left with practical insights, new connections, and a clearer path to expanding internationally with support from UOB FinLab’s ecosystem.
Looking ahead : FinLab
The Digital Gateway to Global Markets programme reflects UOB FinLab’s ongoing commitment to empower SMEs across ASEAN. By combining financial expertise, digital solutions, and strategic partnerships, UOB FinLab is enabling Vietnamese enterprises to adapt, scale, and succeed in the global marketplace.
UOB FinLab Vietnam: Digital Gateway to Global Markets — Event Recap
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