The government’s initiative to enhance the socio-economic status of local communities by providing digital skills training to all, regardless of their social status or geographical location, is a commendable and inclusive step.
Implemented through digital economy centres (PEDi), this effort not only facilitates local communities in participating and seizing opportunities in the digital economy, but also opens avenues for them to enhance their income sources.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier announced an allocation of RM25 million in Budget 2024 to empower PEDi in each State Legislative Assembly (DUN) to increase revenue generation and produce more job opportunities.
At the opening of the PEDi Madani Conference today (Nov 29), Communication and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said PEDi which initially offered internet access collectively in rural areas for the underprivileged now serves as a helpful catalyst to improve digital economy and the socioeconomic status of the local communities.
Each PEDi centre is equipped with internet access and offers ICT training, digital entrepreneurship and e-learning, for the benefit of a local community especially for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and the youth.
Additionally, this contributes to increasing competitiveness, thereby positively impacting the country’s economic growth.
After 16 years of operation, a new direction for PEDi was announced at the PEDi Madani Conference scheduled to take place at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on Nov 29.
Themed “Pemangkin Ekonomi Digital,” the conference will celebrate PEDi managers nationwide and recognise entrepreneurs who have succeeded through training at PEDi facilities.
PEDi is a government initiative spearheaded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) which has now 801 centre managers and 521 deputies till Nov 15.
Fahmi congratulated MCMC, Shopee and PEDi staff who have successfully achieved the target for the year 2023 to digitise as many as 7,000 entrepreneurs through e-commerce platform Shopee with a sales value of RM15.7 million. Up to now, a total of RM55.4 million worth sales have been achieved through digitisation initiatives of entrepreneurs since 2021.
PEDi also gets support from service providers such as Telekom Malaysia, CelcomDigi, Maxis and Redtone through provision of e-learning programs for disadvantaged students capable. This effort has helped them improve learning performance.
Fahmi said MCMC has conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of PEDi as a one-stop center to drive the socioeconomics of a local community and strengthen human capital development and among the findings were the active usage rate of the centres were at 94%, which denoted high consumer loyalty to PEDi;
Based on feedback from respondents public awareness of PEDi is high marking an 89% awareness rate which is positive towards services and programs offered; and
And, up to 70% of respondents will encourage people to use PEDi.
