The efforts to empower and utilise the Digital Economy Centers (PEDi) so that communities in rural and urban poor areas can empower themselves through various training programs offered and ultimately, be involved in various digital economic activities and increase their income has proven to be successful toward its goal.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil, during the winding up session of the Supply Bill 2024 at the Dewan Rakyat today (Nov 1) said a total of 26,113 entrepreneurs have been guided to digitise their businesses through 911 PEDi centres nationwide which has resulted in the e-commerce platform recording a sales value of RM47.8 million in 2021 and 2022.
As of October 31, 2023, there are 1.3 million users who enjoy the facilities and services provided at PEDi along with MCMC as the strategic partner. “PEDi then able to play an important role in helping micro and small entrepreneurs to participate in the digital economy.”
Fahmi added, for example, some PEDi centres such as PEDi Felda Lenga (Johor), PEDi Felda Sri Jaya (Johor), PEDi Felda Sri Ledang (Johor), PEDi Kampung Gemang (Kelantan), PEDi Guchil (Kelantan) and PEDi Felda Soeharto (Selangor) have also provided internet access with a speed of 800 Mbps to meet the needs of the local community, especially in increasing involvement in the digital economy.
In addition to this, the MCMC will organise the 2023 PEDi Conference on 29 November 2023 at the Putrajaya Convention Center (PICC) to recognise PEDi staff and share PEDi’s direction as a digital economy catalyst for the benefit of the local community.
Fahmi added in relation to this, the development of digital hubs under Malaysia Digital (MD) initiatives such as MD Cybercities and Cybercentres as well as Malaysia Digital Hub (MDH) is now not only concentrated in Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur. Until October 2023, there will be 78 MD Cybercities and Cybercentres and 23 MDH centres across the country.
In respect of questions raised by the Members of Parliament on the digitisation grant and criteria for eligible entrepreneurs, Fahmi said, KKD welcomes the Budget 2024 allocation of RM100 million for the provision of digitisation grants that will be used by more than 20 thousand Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PMKS) entrepreneurs.
Digitisation Grant
This grant is a continuation of the PMKS Madani Digital Grant (GDPM) implemented by Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) in collaboration with MCMC and MDEC. This grant aims to assist SMEs and PMKS in speeding up the business digitalization process at the start-up stage in a more comprehensive manner as well as improving business efficiency. Details regarding eligibility criteria will be finalised by the implementing agency soon, Fahmi said.
The agencies involved always regulate grant applications, evaluate and monitor the awarding of grants according to established procedures. This includes a monitoring mechanism implemented through the verification of supporting documents and relevant reports before the grant amount is paid to the grantee. The management, evaluation and monitoring process of this grant allows the government to drive the transformation of traditional businesses to digital more effectively.
Shop Malaysia Online campaign
Asked on the Shop Malaysia Online campaign, the minister said, all assistance channelled is through appointed digital platforms and these includes Sales Subsidies such as discounts, rebates and delivery subsidies to help generate demand and sell local traders. This assistance is also enjoyed by the people to get goods at a lower price. The total allocation and achievements of the campaign for 2022 was RM 150 Million which helped some 446,000 Malaysian SMEs.
The Shop Malaysia Online campaign is one of the Government’s e-commerce initiatives that started in 2020 under the National Economic Regeneration Plan Stimulus Package which aims to help local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic use digital platforms to continue doing business. The campaign has been continued through Budget 2021 and 2022. In 2020 and 2021 this campaign is open to all retail sectors while in 2022 this campaign focuses on the tourism and craft, halal and agriculture sectors.
Its implemented together with reputable local and international digital platforms such as Maybank Sama-sama Lokal, InstanteStore, Lokein, Shopee, Lazada, Foodpanda and Grab through co-funding between the Government and the private sector.
In the 2024 Budget speech, the implementation of the Shop Malaysia Online campaign was announced with an allocation of RM 40 million to encourage small traders, especially in the food sector, to do business from home.
