Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held talks with Ant International CEO Peng Yang on advancing artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and expanding partnerships in Malaysia.

The meeting covered progress in AI adoption as well as Ant International’s initiatives across tourism, trade, technology and talent development.

Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International is the international business unit under China-based Ant Group, which began with the Alipay service in 2004.

The company has longstanding ties to Malaysia through Khazanah Nasional Berhad, a major investor and partner of both Ant Group and Alibaba.

Ant International has expanded its footprint in Malaysia through partnerships with MDEC to support digitalisation and AI initiatives for local SMEs.

It has also deepened its role in the payments ecosystem through collaborations linked to TNG eWallet’s ePOS360 and the integration of Alipay+ with DuitNow QR, enabling inbound cross-border QR payments for international visitors at Malaysian merchants.

Anwar said Malaysia welcomes the expansion of Ant International’s business and stronger collaboration with local firms, in line with efforts to create high-value jobs and build digital capabilities.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the meeting as a positive step for Malaysia’s digitalisation agenda and reiterated the government’s aim to achieve AI Nation status by 2030.

He added that deeper collaboration with global technology players could deliver direct benefits through job creation and further strengthen the national digital economy.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Malaysia, based on image by Gobind Singh Deo via LinkedIn