By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, July 16: The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) today.
SEDC and MPC in a joint statement said the MoU was entered to provide local business communities in Sarawak especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to move forward and participate in digital transformation of the economy.
It added the MoU was also entered to enable both parties to explore collaboration in areas of training, consultation and technical guidance in its efforts to enhance organisational productivity and quality through virtual and face to face approach.
Prior to the signing of the MoU, SEDC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain in his speech said, “The collaboration between SEDC and MPC will enhance our journey into the digital economy and our local businesses community to leverage on the extensive use of digital technology.
“The Movement Control Order (MCO) which has been imposed in many countries including Malaysia has shown us that the digital economy transformation is inevitable and it is one of the best ways to move forward.
“Many people have been buying goods online and have used the Internet for marketing their products and services.
“Many of our local entrepreneurs have ‘bounced back’ and resume their businesses via online soon after MCO restrictions were relaxed.
“(Thus), it is important for our local entrepreneurs, especially the SMEs to embrace the usage of digital technology and electronic commerce in their business operations and to sustain growth,” he said.
Abdul Aziz said SEDC as one of the Sarawak government implementing agencies will continue its efforts to motivate local entrepreneurs that digital economy, be it electronic commerce, cashless payments, seamless delivery and big data will play a vital role in the community support sector.
He asserted that Sarawak Pay is currently the most popular cashless payment in Sarawak.
Abdul Aziz also revealed that Sarawak Pay at present has more than 500,000 subscribers with 50,000 merchants who have signed up.
Thus, he urges local businesses to make use of the cashless payments with its services subsidised by the Sarawak government to grow their businesses.
MPC director general Datuk Abdul Latif Abu Seman added that MPC and SEDC have recently conducted a series of webinars that assist businesses to operate on digital platforms.
He believed innovation is very important in making Sarawak a competitive and inclusive state in terms of the implementation of integrated development initiatives towards achieving its digital economy goals.
He also emphasised that productivity is the game changer to spur the growth of the country’s economy.
Thus, he said MPC and SEDC will further strengthen their collaboration through data sharing, information and engagement in programmes organised by both parties going forward.
Among those present at the signing of the MoU were SEDC general manager Abdul Hadi Datuk Abdul Kadir, MPC board member Datuk Abang Karim Tun Openg and MPC state director Sarimah Misman. —DayakDaily
