KUCHING, Sept 17: Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs) Commercial targets to have around 1,000 local entrepreneurs this year to boost their ability to market their products.
Its general manager Shahren Yusri said these entrepreneurs will be given many benefits such as Centexs Commercial assistance in marketing and promotions, working closely with Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) in maintaining food and safety, including branding and labelling.
“Centexs Commercial focuses on preserving and marketing local heritage products, as we want to bring our Sarawakian heritage for the outer market to recognise – especially in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I hope in the future, Centexs Commercial will continue this collaboration by providing training and knowledge for local entrepreneurs, especially with Shopee and SDEC.
“From this, we also hope that it could encourage Sarawakians to support our local entrepreneurs and our local Sarawak heritage products,” he said in a virtual press conference today.
Centexs Commercial, along with 220 local entrepreneurs under the agency, has joined the Sarawak Digital Mall campaign starting this month, followed by Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHe) and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).
Around 280 product items that will be featured in this campaign will include various products such as food, arts and crafts, and apparel.
Sarawak Digital Mall campaign is a collaboration between Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC), together with the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and Shopee Malaysia where discount vouchers will be provided to Sarawakian sellers in the e-commerce platform to help boost their sales.
Ever since its launch on May 2021, Sarawak Digital Mall has benefited from over 5,000 merchants from Sarawak, and this number continues to grow every day.
Shahren encouraged local entrepreneurs, especially rural entrepreneurs who are interested in marketing their products to join Centexs Commercial and to also be a part of this campaign.
Those interested to join the programme can contact 013-8137608 or 012-8595100.
Meanwhile, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of SDEC, Hazwan Razak said that they are are delighted to continue to support Sarawakian entrepreneurs in any way possible in their digital transformation journey.
“It is high time for entrepreneurs to start operating their businesses online. With the participation of Centexs Commercial in Sarawak Digital Mall, we will be able to tap into the digitalisation of Sarawak heritage products and provide opportunity for Sarawak-made products to be promoted and sold to a bigger market,” he said.
At the same time, Shopee senior manager (Marketing) Kenneth Soh said in line with the #ShopeeSapotLokal initiative, the platform strives to continuously empower and assist local entrepreneurs in their digitalisation journey by providing the support, tools, exposure and training they need to succeed.
“This campaign is one of the many things sellers can leverage on and use as a springboard to reach customers both inside and outside of Sarawak and put a spotlight on the state’s unique products and offerings.
“Seeing as the campaign coincides with our year-end shopping season, the sellers will also be able to enjoy the surge in user traffic and boost in sales during our upcoming shopping festivals such as the 10.10 Brands Festival as we bring Malaysians together to support local businesses,” he said. – DayakDaily
