OVER 3,500 BENEFITED FROM RURAL ENTREPRENEUR DIGITALISATION PROGRAMME

KUANTAN, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- A total of 3,532 rural entrepreneurs nationwide have successfully expanded their businesses and enhanced productivity and management through the Rural Entrepreneur Digitalisation Programme (PPU), under the Desamall initiative, since its launch three years ago.

Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) deputy secretary-general (policy) Datuk Afandi Nordin said a National Audit Department report found that 85 per cent of respondents in a survey agreed that the Desamall Program has effectively helped increase online sales.

“Achieving this positive development is possible through training and exposure to the latest business digital applications and assistance related to business digitalisation provided by KKDW and its strategic partners.

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“Alhamdulillah, this shows that the ministry’s efforts are yielding positive results, as the PPU has had a significant impact on the economy of rural entrepreneurs. In 2024, KKDW plans to conduct six series of PPUs, aiming to digitise 1,200 rural entrepreneurs,” he said when officiating the East Zone PPU Series 2024 here today.

He said that the world is constantly changing, making it crucial for rural entrepreneurs to embrace digitalisation by utilising technology to effectively expand and market their enterprises.

According to Afandi, e-commerce has emerged as a crucial platform in the digital era for driving the nation’s economic growth, as evidenced by the encouraging annual increase in revenue from e-commerce transactions.

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He said that the 2023 report from the Department of Statistics Malaysia shows that e-commerce transactions reached RM1.2 trillion, an increase from RM1.10 trillion in 2022, contributing 23 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product.

“In 2024, the upward trend is expected to continue, with e-commerce transactions reaching RM302.4 billion in the second quarter, reflecting a 7.8 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023,” he said.

Afandi said that the findings demonstrate that e-commerce not only helps increase entrepreneurs’ incomes but also contributes to the overall growth of the country’s economy.

Therefore, he urged rural entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity to maximise their business profits.

To create digitally literate entrepreneurs through the PPU, Afandi said that KKDW has established cooperation with 26 strategic partners who are well-versed and directly engaged in the digital business sector.

“Implementing this digitalisation agenda becomes easier when entrepreneurs are aware of the importance of digitisation, regardless of their business category.

“I hope this effort will successfully assist rural entrepreneurs in digitising their businesses, enabling the realisation of a digital economy in rural areas and contributing to the overall growth of the country’s economy in line with the MADANI Economy framework,” he said.

 -- BERNAMA