KUCHING, Affin Bank Bhd has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with three local industry players, namely Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Bhd (SDEC), Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak Kuching Branch and Chemsain Sustainability Sdn Bhd, to expand its footprint to boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak. The collaboration with local industry players aims to foster digital transformation and sustainable growth in the region, said Affin Islamic Bank Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Syed Mashafuddin Syed Badarudin. 'Through these collaborations, we aim to provide comprehensive support for SMEs in their digital transformation journey and facilitate access to a collaborative ecosystem, sharing business resources and best practices. 'Apart from that, we aim to drive innovation in the region and offer a full range of solutions to address both the financial and non-financial needs of SMEs in Sarawak,' he said during the Affin BizChat programme themed 'Driving Sustainable Business with Artific ial Intelligence' here today. Syed Mashafuddin said the strategic partnership with the companies also demonstrates Affin Bank's commitment to empowering businesses in the state, in line with Sarawak's Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). Also present to sign the MoU were Affin Bank executive director of group enterprise banking Fung Kai Jin, SDEC chief executive officer Sudarnoto Osman, Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak Kuching Branch chairman Drahman Jaladin and Chemsain Sustainability executive chairman John Chan Sung Tong. Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the bank said that the inaugural Affin BizChat programme, launched by Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah today, would serve as an interactive business talk series that empowers the SME community, supports a healthy economy, and helps businesses seize new opportunities. 'The programme aims to support the entrepreneurship journey by providing a platform for businesses to e xplore the latest market trends, discover valuable business tips and connect with industry players as well as experts,' it said. Meanwhile, when met with reporters, Fatimah said that Sarawak is looking forward to more collaborations with Affin Bank, especially in the community wellbeing sector across the state. 'Sarawak, for example, is heading towards an aging state. So, we would like to explore various forms of collaboration with Affin Bank, such as corporate social responsibility programmes involving the elderly especially in rural areas, by looking at the health and financial issues for the community,' she added. Source: BERNAMA News Agency