Have own Digital Free Trade Zone to speed up delivery, reduce cost of goods – Wong

SARAWAK should set up its own Digital Free Trade Zone ( DFTZ) to shorten delivery time as well as cut down costs of goods sent to the state.

International Trade and ECommerce Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the proposed Sarawak or Kuching DFTZ should ideally be customised and tailored to the state’s needs in capitalising on the e- commerce business industry and potentials.

“It should be equipped with modern technologies and facilities with qualified officers from relevant agencies to ensure excellent services, and enable Sarawak to become the regional e- commerce hub for Borneo region and beyond.

“It will surely facilitate our digital economy transformation and help achieve the vision of becoming a fully developed state by 2030,” he said when winding up his ministerial speech at the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting yesterday.

On a related matter, Wong said with the launch of the Tegas Digital Innovation Hub in August to support and provide an entrepreneurial ecosystem for young digital entrepreneurs to engage in ecommerce, his ministry was also looking to set up ‘e- Commerce Innovation and Creativity Centres’ in major areas in Sarawak within the next two years.

“This is in line with our continuous efforts to nurture and groom e- commerce entrepreneurship among aspiring locals, especially youths.”

The centre will provide an overall ecosystem equipped with the latest technology for potential entrepreneurs to sharpen their skills and knowledge on ecommerce.

“It will also provide avenues for potential business tie- ups and collaboration between interns and their prospective employers or business partners,” he said, adding that the centre will be an incubator and workplace for start- ups as well as those who cannot afford their own business premises.