KOTA SAMARAHAN: Rural communities in Sarawak must be equipped with digital skills to thrive in the rapidly evolving economy.
In stating this, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, said digitalisation was no longer optional but essential in today’s global business landscape.
“Rural communities have immense potential. While traditional skills remain part of our identity, they now need opportunities to enter the digital economy and compete effectively,” she said.
She said this at the launch of SmartBiz Desa @ Kota Samarahan at the Institute for Rural Advancement (INFRA) Campus of Sarawak Branch here yesterday.
Rubiah further said that the digital economy contributed 23 per cent of Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), expected to rise to 25 per cent by 2025, with e-commerce transactions reaching RM1.3 trillion in 2022.
Thus, she said these figures highlighted untapped opportunities for rural communities.
“The digital economy accounts for nearly a quarter of national GDP. Rural entrepreneurs must embrace new approaches and enter the digital market,” she added.
On the SmartBiz Desa programme, she said it provided intensive training for 30 participants, including youth, women entrepreneurs and small business owners, covering digital marketing, e-commerce strategies and online financial management.
“SmartBiz Desa builds skills and confidence. We want rural communities to step out of their comfort zones and harness digital tools to transform their lives,” she said.
The event saw the handover of a RM85,400 mock cheque from MARA Education Foundation (YPM) to Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) and the launch of the KPTM Sarawak Operations Office.
KPTM also announced the establishment of an official KPTM Sarawak Campus by 2026, a key step in bringing education closer to rural youth.
