What's all the fuss around TikTok's Project S in Indonesia

Check out our top articles for the week. [Read from your browser]( Top Stories of the Week Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Sunday newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only premium content and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community by [registering here](. Hello {NAME} Lately, TikTok Shop has been on the headlines in Indonesia. The government, industry observers, and local media have concerns over the social commerce platform, which is believed to pose a threat to the country's MSMEs. The issue revolves around Project S, TikTok's initiative to sell its own products on its app, similar to Amazon Basics. Many parties are worried that TikTok Shop will be flooded with foreign products and that its algorithms will direct users to its own items. However, it's worth noting that Project S itself is not available in Indonesia, as it is still in development in the UK. TikTok Shop also doesn’t have cross-border services for now. Shopee and Lazada had similar issues in Indonesia, leading both firms to close their cross-border services for certain categories. Nevertheless, these concerns might prompt TikTok to think carefully before bringing Project S to Indonesia, especially after the government announced plans to revise its online trade regulations and limit the sale of imported goods on ecommerce platforms. -- [Jofie Yordan]( journalist at Tech in Asia  --------------------------------------------------------------- TOP STORIES THIS WEEK 1️. [TikTok’s Project S triggers alarm bells in Indonesia]( TikTok said its latest ecommerce effort is not available in Indonesia, emphasizing that it does not offer cross-border transactions. 2. [Does combining Grab with asset-heavy Trans-cab make sense?]( The move comes as archrival Gojek partners with the largest taxi company in Singapore. 3. [Battle for Malaysia’s ‘last mile’: local couriers struggle against foreign players]( Homegrown brands are calling for government intervention due to a logistics price war. 4. [Serial entrepreneur opens up about failed fintech firm]( Muhammad Aditiriya Indraputra recalls how the pandemic-induced closure of lending startup AgenKan pushed him to grow. 5. [Tale as old as Tyme: how a successful African digital bank landed in the Philippines]( Born in Africa and headquartered in Singapore, Tyme Group hopes to replicate its success in its new market, the Philippines. 6. [Asian workers more bullish on AI than most]( A PwC survey found that employees in Asia Pacific are more likely to see AI as beneficial to their work compared to their global peers. 7. [Carousell records 67% revenue growth in FY22 as expenses climb 57%]( The Singapore-based firm told Tech in Asia that growth across all of its categories is "integral to our ongoing journey toward profitability." 8. [Malaysia grants Musk’s Starlink rare ownership exemption to operate in country]( The satellite-internet firm’s foray comes after a highly publicized virtual meeting between Elon Musk and the country’s prime minister. 9. [Series SEA: Who’s investing in the region’s AI startups?]( We've compiled a list of investors that are pouring money into Southeast Asia’s AI startups. 10. [Bootstrapped and profitable: Singapore’s 9-figure D2C secret]( Instead of turning to VC firms, Sant Qiu raised “about a million” dollars by providing consultancy and training services for over four years. --------------------------------------------------------------- TECH IN ASIA'S FOUNDERS MEETUP: INDIA  We’re headed to Bangalore next! 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