Naroden: Capitalise on Internet, digital platforms

MIRI: The state government is committed to developing digital economy towards achieving the fully- developed status for Sarawak by 2030.

According to Assistant Minister of E- Commerce Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, technology especially the Internet has changed the way the world ‘runs its business and exchanges information’.

“This has become a global trend – as such, nobody can afford to be left behind,” he spoke at the closing of a workshop on online business at Meritz Hotel here on Tuesday, where Miri District Officer Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf and permanent secretary to International Trade and ECommerce Ministry, Kameri Affendi were also present.

On the workshop, Naroden said it aimed at exposing local entrepreneurs especially the young ones to running businesses via digital technology and Internet platforms.

In this regard, he believed that to achieve digital economy, Sarawak would need to upgrade its current ICT infrastructure.

Back on online business, Naroden noted that there are already groups of microentrepreneurs who are capitalising on various online platforms.

However, these individuals are only doing advertising and receiving orders via online.

“In 2016, there were about 200

This has become a global trend – as such, nobody can afford to be left behind.

entrepreneurs – including those doing it part-time – registered with KPDNKK ( Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism) and SSM ( Companies Commission of Malaysia).

“However following the announcement of digital economy by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, many have voiced interest in e- commerce, which I see as a good sign that the people know about Sarawak’s focus on digital technology.”

In this respect, Naroden said his ministry is committed to running various programmes such as seminars to help youths and local entrepreneurs to master the skills and knowledge needed in online business, so that they could compete and enter bigger markets including those overseas.

Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister of E-Commerce

Naroden (seconf left) presents the certificate to a workshop participant, witnessed by Abdul Aziz (right) and Kameri.

Naroden (front, fourth left), flanked by Abdul Aziz on his right and Kameri, joins participants and facilitators of the workshop in a group photo.