MITeC steps up activities to promote digitalisation and digital economy

The Ministry of International Trade and eCommerce ( MITeC) is intensifying its activities this year to enhance the state’s efforts to embrace digitalisation and embark on the digital economy.

MITeC assistant secretary Catherine Lee said they are targetting 24 programmes for eCommerce programmes alone to benefit 5,000 people.

These included programmes and training, courses, workshops and incubators, National and International Conference on eCommerce, local and International expo and showcasing financial assistance, Sarawak Marketing Development Grant (SMDG) and Sarawak eCommerce Grant

“We hoped that through these proposed programmes, there is greater awareness on eCommerce for example, for “Online marketing workshop “scheduled in February and July in Lawas, Serian, Miri, Sibu, Mukah, Limbang, Lundu and Kota Samarahan, the objectives are hands on teaching/ learning on related topics such as copy writing, social media ads and search engine optimization (seo).

It too will touch on ‘ produk Sarawak Portal, google placement, shipping and delivery ( Pos Malaysia) and photography skills. With these skills participants could expect to increase their earnings,” said Lee at the recent ‘ Introduction of Digital Business Model Seminar” held here for some 80 participants.

She added that the seminar on “usahawan eDagang” scheduled for May and June in Kapit, Betong, Sarikei, Bintulu and Telang Usan is an awareness programme on digital economy ( eCommerce), assistances and grants provided for ecommerce and agencies.

Meanwhile, the objectves for the “Start up programme in April and June in Samarahan, APPS Challenge in collaboration with UNIMAS and the STartup Quest 2018 tentatively in June 24-26 is to promote the startup ecosystem and encourage the public to be involved in the fast- moving tech- startup scene in Sarawak’s digital free trade zone (dftz).

As for ‘Onboarding programme 2018’ to be held in Sibu, Miri, Mukah, Bintulu and Kuching, the objectives are to educate business owners on the know-how to grow online businesses via various social and ecommerce platforms., encourage and inspire business owners to adopt ecommerce and increase export via dftz export programme.

Youths can look forward to “Youth eCommerce shoutout ( yes)’ scheduled in August – September which is aimed at promoting technopreneurship, a cashless society, knowing the gist of ecommerce from the youth perspective while creating more business opportunities to youth.

The eRetailer show scheduled for August – September in Sibu and Miri will focus on eMarketplaces ( lazada, zalora, tokopedia) and encouraging local entreprenuers to go online.

Lee encouraged the people in the state to take full advantage of the programme organised. Those interested and want to know more details can call the ministry at telephone number 082- 440441 or fax: 082- 442766 or access their website at www. mitec.sarawak.gov.my/

Meanwhile, the one- day seminar saw five different topics presented by five speakers namely “Introduction on MYCYBERSALE” by National ICT Associaton of Malaysia ( PIKOM) director of Industry development Justin J. Anthon, “Business Strategies, Community Development and Social Enterpreneurship” by Catama Borneo president and cofounder Catriona Maddocks, the success story of HAUS Kuching by its president Syed Syatbie Rusydie Syed Habib, “About TEGAS Digital Innovation Hub” by its executive Raziv Ramzon and “Connecting You to the World” by DHL Express area sales manager David Chin.