KUCHING: The Sarawak government is committed to support independent entrepreneurs to run and expand their businesses in the digital era.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the government would continue to support entrepreneurs, especially those who have their own initiatives and are able to contribute to the state’s economic growth.
“We will increase entrepreneurship participation among our people, for them to benefit from the state’s growing economy.
“Therefore, my colleagues and I have agreed to the request from the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS), to develop a land at Lopeng, Miri, to become a Bumiputera Commercial Hub,” he said.
“And at the same time, the surrounding areas (of the commercial hub) are expected to experience more development progress in view of the Miri City that is growing,” he said.
Abang Johari was speaking at the launch of the DUBS Miri Branch’s 14th General Meeting for 2021-2024 Session at Eastwood Golf and Country Club in Miri today.
He said the proposed commercial hub can become a space for DUBS members to share their ideas and knowledge, develop their products and become a training ground in terms of business management in the modern digital era.
“We have to look into the future, we have to be futuristic,” he stressed.
“Doing business in the modern era means doing it through digital technology, which has been proven (to be the right way) when the COVID-19 hits the world two years ago,” he said.
“When I introduced the digital economy 2017, people were sceptical about it. But today, it (digital economy) has become necessary, especially when we are still in the midst of a pandemic,” he said.
Citing the e-wallet such as S-Pay, he said, has been widely used by the people as well as the big and small businesses, including e-commerce.
Therefore, he said, Sarawak is committed to continue to support and assist the people and businesses to adapt and move toward the digital economy.
Apart from the digital economy, Abang Johari assured that the state government will ensure the rural areas are equipped with basic necessities such as treated water supply and electricity.
“We have allocated RM4 billion to carry out various water projects in two years’ time, to ensure rural villages and longhouses can enjoy treated water supply. We are able to do it using the state’s fund to benefit the people,” he added.
Meanwhile, those present were Transport Minister and Senadin assemblyman Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin; Miri City Council mayor and Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Sang; Bekenu assemblywoman Datuk Rosey Yunus; DUBS president Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan; and DUBS Miri chairman Abdul Samad Mohd Ali.
