KUCHING: The government is holding out hopes that products based on ‘gula apong’, ‘kek lapis’, and honey-based beauty products produced by small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Sarawak will reach the wider market.
Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick expressed interest in the quality of these products, which he believed could penetrate the global market.
Therefore, he said in the current era of digitalisation, e-commerce platforms and online transactions should be utilised by these entrepreneurs.
“We want as many local entrepreneurs as possible to utilise online marketing platforms to reach a broader market.
“In the past, if you wanted to have ‘ikan terubuk masin’ and ‘kek lapis’, you had to inform friends in Sarawak to help in purchasing it but now, these products can be ordered online and delivered nationwide,” he said.
Ewon said this at the closing of Satu Daerah Satu Industri (SDSI) Showcase which was officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall here, Sunday (Oct 1).
Additionally, Ewon said his ministry also offers a digital entrepreneurship ecosystem development platform, MyMall, which also involves e-commerce elements.
He said entrepreneurs can showcase their products and services on the MyMall platform for free.
“The ministry hopes that more entrepreneurs from Sarawak will utilise this MyMall platform,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state-level SDSI 2023 Showcase, which lasted for three days, recorded sales of entrepreneurs’ products amounting to RM21,000.
Among the products highlighted were ‘kek lapis’, ‘gula apong’ based products, honey-based beauty products, handicrafts,involving a total of 10 SDSI entrepreneurs.
Also present were ministry secretary general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat, Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment adviser Datuk Naroden Majais and acting permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron.
