The Taman Rugading Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) here has successfully empowered 200 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) entrepreneurs who are now actively selling food products across the country through digital platforms.

Rugading People’s Housing Project PEDi Manager Azlee Okee said that since its inception seven years ago, more than 1,400 members of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Digital Association, mainly from Tuaran district, have registered with PEDi Rugading.

“To date, we have managed to produce and empower about 200 SME entrepreneurs to sell their products anywhere, including on digital e-commerce platforms.

“Therefore, I hope more SME entrepreneurs will follow in their footsteps because, through PEDi, we will also help the government in its efforts to eradicate poverty in this country,” he told Bernama when met at the centre recently.

Azlee said successful entrepreneurs must be able to create jobs and help job seekers in the country.

He said that the existence of PEDi can produce entrepreneurs who strive for innovative and competitive digitalisation to improve the socio-economic status of the people.

“PEDi will provide comprehensive training for SME entrepreneurs. PEDi’s role is important in helping entrepreneurs learn how to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to promote their products.

“Entrepreneurs will be trained and taught on online sales methods through existing platforms, e-commerce training and online payment management methods,” he said.

A 43-year-old terung pipit (pea eggplant) sambal entrepreneur, Salwina Hanal, said she would not have gone far as an entrepreneur without PEDi

“At that time, I was only selling on the steps of my house and sometimes by the roadside. However, with the government’s PEDi programme, I was able to do better as I was able to acquire a lot of skills, especially in e-commerce.

“During the Movement Control Order (MCO), we started to realise that e-commerce platforms were important as it was the only way to sell and market our products. I was fortunate to acquire knowledge from PEDi, she said.

Salwina said her products are now available in supermarkets, including most Petronas petrol stations in Sabah, as well as on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee.

Roslizah Suadin, 50, a food and beverage entrepreneur, said she joined PEDi last year after meeting Azlee.

“I joined PEDi and was briefed about its role in supporting entrepreneurs. Since then, I have attended many of PEDi’s courses, such as the business plan writing course and the e-commerce course.

“After learning a lot about digital entrepreneurship at PEDi, I was contacted by the Sabah Department of Industrial Development and Research as a grant recipient for machinery and equipment,” she said.

Roslizah said she has now successfully opened a shop and the demand from customers is encouraging.

“Bookings will increase during festive seasons like Eid, Christmas or for weddings,” she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency