Vietnam’s SMEs to get credit pack from AWS Lift

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of AWS Lift in Vietnam on April 6 to help eligible SMEs experience the benefits of AWS without worrying about associated costs.

Their first dollar billed on AWS will unlock $750 of AWS credits in their account and increased usage is rewarded with further credits to offset their bill, up to a maximum of $83,500 over 12 months.

New and existing customers that join the programme will receive a starter pack of AWS credits over 12 months, providing access to all 200 fully featured services on AWS, the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform.

Accounting for 98 per cent of the total number of businesses in Vietnam, SMEs contribute to half of GDP and provide employment for more than 70 per cent of the workforce. However, the current economic environment has increased financial pressure on all businesses, particularly SMEs that lack the finances to weather the rising inflationary pressures.

According to the IDC Biannual Public Cloud Services Tracker 2H21, Vietnam is predicted to lead growth in cloud adoption within Southeast Asia, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 25.8 per cent between 2021 and 2026.

In Vietnam, AWS has helped thousands of SMEs across various industries – including agriculture (Greenfeed), education (VietED and Online Management Training), financial services (Mcredit), manufacturing (Dien Quang and Dong Tam Group), and retail and consumer goods (Merchize, Uniben, and ACFC Group) – to digitally transform by leveraging the power of AWS cloud.

With a minimum billing fee of just $1 and no lock-in periods or hidden fees, AWS Lift helps to alleviate cost pressures and provides SMEs with a commitment-free approach to get started on AWS. They benefit from the flexibility of AWS’s pay-as-you-go model as they develop operational muscle and transform their processes to drive new revenue growth.

Gunish Chawla, managing director for Mid-Market Enterprises and SMEs in ASEAN at AWS said, “SMEs are looking to adapt their business models given the current macroeconomic environment, and this is where technology can help. AWS enables them to be more innovative and resilient as they accelerate their transformation in the face of ambiguity and change. Through programmes such as AWS Lift, we demonstrate our commitment to investing in and empowering SMEs of every size and industry in Vietnam to digitise their business and unlock their economic potential.”

Vietnamese SMBs eager for digital transformation push Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Vietnam are making initial technology investments in cloud, cybersecurity and IT software and hardware upgrades, as a large majority of them begin their digital transformation journeys, according to the ‘APAC SMB Digital Maturity Index’ (Index), released by global tech firm Cisco today.

Lenovo launches cloud-based managed IT services to support SMBs Lenovo on August 21 announced the introduction of Lenovo Managed Services, a suite of tools built to Microsoft specifications and delivered through Lenovo’s indirect model to channel partners, to provide SMBs the support they need to get the most out of Microsoft 365.

Workshop encourages digital evolution among domestic SMEs A workshop on empowering small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through digital transformation and access to finance will take place on July 26 in Hanoi.

Defining innovative startup enterprises in Vietnam The state has provided special policies to encourage small- and medium-sized startup enterprises (SMEs) that primarily focus on tech advancement and research, and need the assistance of all resources for building their reputation and market status.

Digital transformation accompanying SMEs for viability and growth The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and Meta just organised the Forum on Accompanying SMEs with Digital Transformation.