Mastercard and ASEAN Business Council Join Forces
New partnership kicks off with inaugural Inclusive Growth Summit in Kuala Lumpur, spotlighting small businesses, digital innovation, and cross-border cooperation.
Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth has partnered with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to launch the first Mastercard ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit. The inaugural event will take place in Kuala Lumpur this October, followed by two more summits across the region in 2026 and 2027.
The initiative reflects Mastercard’s commitment to boosting sustainable economic growth in Southeast Asia, with a strong focus on supporting consumers and small businesses. The Summit aims to provide a platform for government leaders, business pioneers, and development organizations to exchange ideas and craft solutions for inclusive prosperity.
Focus on Small Businesses and MSMEs
Micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are at the heart of the agenda. In Southeast Asia, they represent more than 97 percent of businesses and account for 85 percent of employment. Mastercard’s Strive programs in Malaysia and Indonesia are already targeting 400,000 MSMEs, offering digital upskilling, mentoring, and better access to credit. A partnership with the Asian Development Bank is set to unlock up to $1 billion in financing for MSMEs across the region.
With the region’s digital economy projected to exceed $560 billion by 2030, Mastercard is investing heavily in digital inclusion. Initiatives include equipping SMEs with cybersecurity tools, joining global alliances against scams, and partnering with governments to expand digital payment adoption. From Tap on Phone solutions for merchants to open-loop transit payments in the Philippines and Vietnam, the company is working to make digital transactions seamless and secure.
Tourism and Regional Integration
Beyond business and payments, Mastercard is also helping ASEAN economies grow through tourism. In Malaysia, for instance, it is working with Tourism Malaysia to digitize visitor experiences and attract high-value travelers, supporting the country’s Visit Malaysia 2026 goals.
Such efforts aim to fuel tourism-driven growth while creating ripple effects for local businesses.
Summit Ahead of ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting
The first Mastercard ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur on October 24, 2025, just before the 47th ASEAN Summit. By convening leaders from across the region and beyond, Mastercard and ASEAN-BAC hope to shape an agenda that ensures Southeast Asia’s rapid growth benefits everyone.
