KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 -- The initiatives to propel the digital sector will not only benefit e-commerce players but also local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), says e-commerce platform Shopee.  

In the 2020 Budget tabled yesterday, the government allocated RM10 million and RM70 million to the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to train micro-digital entrepreneurs and technology experts and set up 14 one-stop Digital Enhancement Centres respectively.

“This is in line with our vision to continuously upskill, educate and prepare local businesses to be e-commerce ready.

“The move is timely seeing that only 32 per cent of Malaysian SMEs have adopted digitalisation to-date,” regional managing director Ian Ho said in a statement here today.

As a close partner of MDEC, Shopee would complement the Corporation’s initiatives by doubling its efforts including allocating resources and manpower to create a strong foundation and conducive environment for businesses to trade online through Shopee University’s free workshops for sellers, he said.

Additionally, the Government’s vigorous roll-out of the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP), which is the key for 5G, will indirectly benefit online shoppers.

“With greater Internet connectivity, this would allow us to serve Malaysians better, especially those residing in rural and remote areas who currently do not have access to a wide range of necessities,” Ho added.

-- BERNAMA