PM: USE DIGITAL TECH OR BE LEFT BEHIND
Entrepreneurs must market products worldwide creatively, says Najib
THE new economy needs more aggressive, dynamic and creative ventures that help rural entrepreneurs earn their place on the global supply chain, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said here yesterday.
He said without creativity and innovation driving consistent output, rural entrepreneurs would be left behind as the world shifted towards the digital industry.
“We need to maximise digital technology to ensure our place on the global supply chain,” Najib at the launch of the Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival at Putra World Trade Centre.
Present were Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, his deputies, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, and Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
Najib said rural-based smalland medium-sized industries had, during the 10th Malaysia Plan, contributed 33.4 per cent of the gross domestic product, 17.3 per cent of exports and 57.8 per cent of human resource supply.
“This shows that we need to establish our footing on the global supply chain to grow and remain competitive.”
He said rural entrepreneurs needed to develop their creativity in marketing products to the global market.
“It is the digital age, and this in the new normal, where products are moved on the global supply chain by cashless means and even without human contact.
“It is all digitised, and we need to be able to deal this way. These are skills that can be learnt and developed, so you must learn them and develop yourselves.”
He said in the 2017 Budget, the government allocated RM1.04 billion to drive rural industries, adding that the amount would likely increase in the 2018 Budget.