Paving way for devt of micro-entrepreneurs
KUCHING: The Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development is taking another step forward in developing microentrepreneurs in the state.
In view of this, the Sarawak Kenyalang Digital Programme ( SKDP) was established, its minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said.
“This programme, which is the collaboration between my ministry and the Multimedia Development Corporation ( MDeC), is targeting around 3,000 IT- savvy micro- entrepreneurs from throughout the state,” she said at the launch of SKDP which was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Penview Convention Centre ( PCC) here yesterday.
She also pointed out that two core digital economy initiatives managed by MDeC - ‘eUsahawan’ and ‘eRezeki’ - will be brought to six strategic locations in the state; namely Kuching, Samarahan, Sri
This programme, which is the collaboration between my ministry and the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), is targeting around 3,000 IT-savvy microentrepreneurs from throughout the state.
Aman, Miri, Sibu and Limbang.
“These initiatives aim to expose the people to the various methods and techniques to generate sales and extra income through online businesses,” she said, adding that around 500 participants will be invited to attend boot camps and training which will be operated continuously at each location.
According to her, with such programme, all microentrepreneurs including women entrepreneurs in the state will be able to develop the marketing strategy for their products.
“Back then, the marketing of products was more towards a traditional approach but now with digital economy, I am confident that there is a demand for the products sold by microentrepreneurs. “This is because their products are no longer limited to the local market but can be expanded to other markets even at global level,” she said.
Fatimah also noted that through this programme, it is expected that the income of micro-entrepreneurs who have successfully undergone training will reach RM4.5 million per year.
“Based on statistics we have obtained from several agencies which are monitoring the development of microentrepreneurs, there are 13,118 micro- entrepreneurs in Sarawak, of which 975 have undergone IT course. At present, based on my ministry’s records, the number of micro- entrepreneurs who have
Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister
increased their income through IT is 102 with a total overall income achievement of RM659,187 per year,” she said.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, International Trade and ECommerce Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Assistant Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Deputy State Legislative Assembly Speaker Dato Gerawat Gala and Multimedia Development Corporation ( MDeC) chief executive officer Datuk Yasmin Mahmood.