Malaysia Strives to Become ASEAN’s Tech Powerhouse

Through the Digital Economy Blueprint, Malaysia is scaling up investments in AI, e-commerce, and digital talent — reshaping its business strategy and growth outlook.

Natalie Loi is part of the vanguard working to turn Malaysia into a tech powerhouse in South-East Asia. 

Ms Loi was just 19 when she founded her first tech startup, UnBound, while a business student at Victoria University in 2017. 

It started out as an education tool — using augmented reality games to make learning more accessible and fun.

"I didn't have a background in tech so I self-taught myself into building a learning application," she said.

Natalie Loi founded a tech startup company at just 17 years of age.  (Supplied: Natalie Loi)

UnBound has now has expanded and delved into artificial intelligence (AI), and works with more than 100 institutions across South-East Asia, Australia and UK.

Ms Loi said the government had been focusing on helping startups likes hers and upskilling young graduates.

"As a developing country, we have so much more potential to grow than a developed country," she told the ABC. 

She said already developed countries had more outdated infrastructure while Malaysia could leapfrog ahead. 

"There's a lot of space for growth and a lot of potential for skill if you want to make an impact in the world."

For full details, see the original article: Malaysia Strives to Become ASEAN’s Tech Powerhouse