Sitec aims for 20 per cent GMV growth from online merchants

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Information Technology and ECommerce Council (Sitec) is aiming for an increase of 20 per cent in the gross merchandise value (GMV) annually from its online merchants.

Selangor State Senior Executive Councillor (Exco) for Investment, Industry and Commerce and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Datuk Teng Chang Khim, said last year, Sitec facilitated its Online 100 merchants, one of its four main thrusts, to generate RM8 million in GMV.

“The state government has been helping the brick and mortar merchants to move forward into digital commerce by providing free training programmes in various segments instead of giving grants or funds.

“We believe the SMEs can change their mindset and take the opportunity through the free platforms that are provided to accelerate growth and enhance their competitiveness in the digital economy and penetrate their products in global markets mainly in China,” he said.

Teng was speaking to the media after delivering his keynote address at the Alibaba Global Course by Alibaba Business School held here yesterday.

Teng said although the federal government also supports local SMEs, the Selangor government has also been proactive in engaging with local private entities and foreign government agencies.

“We have sponsored participants to attend seminars, talks and programmes on global e-commerce including to Hangzhou, China where Alibaba Group’s home is, to expose them to the development of e-commerce business,” said Teng.

Earlier at the event, Teng said that the course, conducted in collaboration with Alibaba’s Taobao University and its education partner Mystartr Sdn Bhd, bodes well for future e-commerce merchants, as they would have the tools on-hand to form a solid foundation for their businesses. — Bernama