By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Aug 23 — The seventh edition of the Top E-Commerce Merchant (Top ECM) Awards returns this year with a total of 228 merchants shortlisted.
The event, organised by the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec), is offering RM60,000 in cash prizes and other attractive rewards.
All the shortlisted merchants will be judged in three categories, namely the Online Sales Contest (50 per cent), the Livestream Contest (25 per cent) and their Business Potential (25 per cent).
Sidec chief executive officer Yong Kai Ping said the award aims to reward the most successful and innovative homegrown e-commerce merchants while allowing them to shine and benefit from many opportunities available to them.
“The intention of holding the Top ECM is to recognise resourceful merchants able to effectively harness the capabilities of notable e-commerce platforms in marketing their products and services online.
“It is imperative they create an online presence as vendors to thrive. In 2016, only 60 e-commerce merchants participated in the inaugural awards.
“In comparison, 2021 saw an increase to 181 merchants and RM47 million in total sales. This exponential growth indicates the e-commerce industry is flourishing, and Sidec is here to recognise these outstanding achievements after recording a total sale of RM123 million over the past six years," he said.
Yong was speaking at Top ECM’s launching ceremony, held at the Selangor Digital Creative Centre in Section 7 earlier today, which was also attended by state executive councillor for trade and investment Dato’ Teng Chang Khim.
He added that Sidec is committed to playing a crucial role in building a burgeoning digital economy, by nurturing business in this new holistic ecosystem.
“This is in line with the Selangor government's vision of becoming a liveable ‘Smart State’ in the Asean region by 2025,” Yong said.
This year sees three award categories, including the Malaysia Top E-Commerce Merchant Award, the Selangor E-Commerce Merchant Award, and the Affin Bank Special Awards (Rising Star and AffinGem Women Trailblazer Awards).
The Rising Star Award is a special category where three winners are chosen based on their company’s business potential, who have been in operation for less than three years, and must be shortlisted in the top 40 of the main category to be selected for this award.
The AffinGem Women Trailblazer Awards is a new subcategory introduced to support and foster female entrepreneurship, recognising strong women entrepreneurs who have succeeded in the industry.
He said for this year the Top ECM Awards is also adding a new element, the Livestream Festival where participating merchants at the 7th Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC), a side event at the 2022 Selangor International Business Summit, will have a chance to promote their products or services in livestream studios within the exhibition area.
“The livestream will be broadcasted through social media platforms throughout October 6 until October 9, 2022, live from SDEC 2022 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre,” Yong said.
