E-commerce Expansion in Malaysia

Abstract

The promotion of digital initiatives in Malaysia goes back a long way from the launch of the National Information Technology Agenda (NITA) under the Seventh Malaysia Plan. NITA aimed to promote the use of ICT for transforming the country from a P-based to a K-based economy. Since then, numerous other initiatives have been launched, including a National E-commerce Strategic Roadmap 1.0 and 2.0, respectively, in 2016 and 2021, to facilitate this transition, via among others, boosting e-commerce developments. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has escalated digitalisation and stirred e-commerce euphoria due to restrictions on movements. In view of all these developments, this chapter examines the nature of e-commerce in Malaysia, including cross-border e-commerce and identifies the key challenges in moving forward.