KUALA TERENGGANU: Two rural entrepreneurs in Marang, Terengganu, who used to run a small business from their homes, never imagined that a brief introduction to the Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) would lead to an expansion of their operations to supermarkets and even overseas markets.
Siti Juriah Mohammad, who is fondly known as Kak Yah, said that she used to accompany her children to the PEDi in Kampung Binjai Bongkok, Marang while they did their homework, which required internet access.
“I followed them to the PEDi because they needed to do their homework. One day, I wanted to get a halal certificate for a product. I have a computer but do not know how to use it.
“It was 2018 at the time. I did not expect it but the officers at the PEDi helped me with the application and entire process until I obtained the halal certificate,” Kak Yah told Bernama.
Siti Juriah said that she has been selling frozen traditional food such as ketupat, grilled glutinous rice and local cakes (kuih) for the past 20 years and her business has grown significantly through PEDi.
“I received business training at PEDi. The staff there also taught me how to edit videos and photos to make it more attractive for Facebook and Tik Tok. As a result my products became more popular and are now sold in many supermarkets in the state,” she said, expressing her gratitude to the PEDi staff.
Another PEDi success story was shared by Nur Arinah Mat Yusof, who managed to expand the sales of her homemade protein bars to Brunei and Singapore after fully utilising the e-commerce platform with the help of the centre.
“I was looking for support to expand my business and heard about PEDi from a friend. At first I thought it was only a place for children to do their homework or photocopy books.
“I started getting help from the Alur Limbat PEDi in Marang during the Movement Control Order (MCO) during Covid-19 pandemic. Before that I only did business within my circle of friends and acquaintances. I am very grateful for the growth of my business, especially on the PEDI e-commerce platform,” she said.
She also said that PEDi’s guidance on obtaining halal certification helped add value to her company.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Multimedia Communications Commission (MCMC) Terengganu director Zahari Ismail said Terengganu has 66 PEDi centres, with plans to add six more by the end of this year.
“Records show that PEDi services were utilised by 97,755 visitors and we have 50,172 registered PEDi members.
“The first quarter of 2023, shows 2,074 active PEDi entrepreneurs registered throughout the state, of which 1,845 had a presence on at least one online platform such as social media, website or e-marketplace,” he said.
So far the MCMC is satisfied with the achievements recorded by PEDi entrepreneurs, who have managed to increase productivity and generate profits, while sustaining sales and increasing employment opportunities, he said. – BERNAMA
