KKDW TARGETS 1,200 TO BENEFIT FROM RURAL ENTREPRENEUR DIGITALISATION PROGRAMME THIS YEAR

MELAKA, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) aims to train and offer benefits to 1,200 rural entrepreneurs across the country this year through the implementation of the Rural Entrepreneur Digitalisation Programme (PPU).

KKDW deputy secretary-general (policy) Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said the ministry has allocated RM1.7 million to provide direct and practical exposure to rural entrepreneurs transitioning to new digital technologies.

“The PPU under the Desamall Programme is an additional initiative implemented by the ministry to bridge the digital divide by boosting productivity and efficiency among rural entrepreneurs.

bootstrap slideshow

“Our aim is for the income of these entrepreneurs to increase between 10 and 30 per cent after a year of marketing products online,” he told reporters after officiating the South Zone PPU Series Two at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh here today.

Elaborating, Che Murad Sayang said the PPU provides participants with courses or practical training designed to assist rural entrepreneurs in digitising their businesses through online marketing.

According to him, the implementation of the PPU this year encompassed five touring series in Perlis (July), Sarawak (August), Pahang (September), and Sabah (October), as well as the second series in Melaka and the first in Kota Damansara, Selangor, in February.

bootstrap slideshow

“All the entrepreneurs selected to participate in this programme are from KKDW agencies such as Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), Felcra Berhad, the Community Development Department (Kemas) and the Southeast Johor Development Authority  (Kejora),” he said.

Che Murad Sayang said the implementation of the PPU facilitated the adaptation and entry of rural entrepreneurs into online business through 12 modules developed in collaboration with the ministry’s 25 strategic partners.

“This programme will be held in collaboration with strategic partners renowned for their expertise in fields such as financial digitisation, internet services, e-commerce platforms and content production,” he said.

At the event, Che Murad Sayang also witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Desamall Administration and PPU’s new strategic partners, namely Lalamove, Dattle, and Beez.

-- BERNAMA