Malaysian rural entrepreneurs urged to embrace digital skills
TASEK GELUGOR, MALAYSIA — Malaysian Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang has encouraged rural entrepreneurs to master digital skills to stay competitive amidst the changing business landscape.
Speaking at the Penang Regional Development Authority Expo (Expert) 2023, Wang emphasized bridging the rural-urban digital divide, boosting productivity and facilitating online opportunities.
“To ensure the success of the transition, entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend training and skills improvement programmes to ensure that customers are attracted to the products being marketed,” Wang stated.
“Although digital marketing is currently the new business norm, to market products only on social media without strategy and skills may not be impactful.”
The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) provides digital upskilling through the Rural Entrepreneur Digitalization Program. Since 2017, KKDW has operated DesaMall@KKDW, an e-commerce platform for rural entrepreneurs.
KKDW allocated RM1.7 million (US$362,000) towards the Entrepreneur Digitalization Program, targeting 1,000 entrepreneurs in 2023.
‘Expert 2023’, now in its second year, aims to generate RM1.5 million (US$319,000) in sales. The expo provides a platform for entrepreneurs to promote products and services.
