Wong hopes state will have its own version of DFTZ

KUCHING: Minister of International Trade and ECommerce ( Mitec) Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh hopes that the state government will set up Sarawak’s version of the Digital Free Trade Zone ( DFTZ) here.

He said this would help to facilitate international ecommerce and invigorate the state’s internet-based innovation, thus making the state a regional hub in the region.

“Not too many of our local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been registered with DFTZ (Malaysia’s e-commerce window), thus it is hoped that in time to come, with the blessings from our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, we could set up a Sarawak version of the DFTZ in Kuching,” he said yesterday.

He was speaking at the closing of Sarawak e- Commerce Forum 2017 at Imperial Hotel which was officiated by Abang Johari.

Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, pointed out that Mitec with related agencies, both state and federal, would continue to provide suitable digital knowledge and courses to help local entrepreneurs improve their knowledge and ability on on-line trading, e- commerce and marketing.

He stressed that the state could no longer become a territorial state, but must become a market and trading state, adding that the nation that can ride on fast moving waves of Information Technology ( IT) and e- commerce will succeed.

“We can no longer follow precedents, doing what we have been doing…we must begin to nurture a different attitude and foster an environment that welcomes changes to do things differently,” he pointed out.

According to him, Mitec’s roles would include nurturing an e- commerce mindset and organising seminars, workshops and activities related to digital economy.