By Alang Bendahara
SHAH ALAM, Oct 15 — Despite the uncertainties posed by Covid-19, Selangor is intent on nurturing more e-commerce merchants in the state.
State executive councillor for industry and trade Dato’ Teng Chang Khim said programmes implemented by Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) have helped many e-commerce merchants survive during the pandemic.
“Since the Covid-19 outbreak last year, many sectors have been struggling to make ends meet due to the various interruptions caused by the restrictions of movement, which has halted business operations and the operations of the whole supply chain including for e-commerce businesses.
“However, I am glad to see that many merchants are taking up all available opportunities to level up their businesses and come back stronger through the many initiatives provided by the (Selangor) state government.
“Selangor, through its state government agency Sidec, has implemented various programmes to continuously nurture e-commerce merchants in the state,” said Teng during the virtual launching ceremony of the Malaysia Top E-Commerce Merchant Awards (Top ECM) 2021 today.
Teng said Top ECM as well as other initiatives carried out by Sidec such as the Selangor SME Digitalisation Matching Grant and the Selangor Accelerator Programme (SAP) has contributed to the economic growth of the state.
He said shortlisted Top ECM participants this year will stand a chance to walk away with cash prizes worth RM40,500 and other attractive prizes from the four categories of awards namely the Top E-Commerce Merchant Awards, Online 100 and Brands 100 Merchant Awards, Selangor E-Bazar Merchant Awards, and Affin Bank Rising Star Awards.
As for the Selangor SME Digitalisation Matching Grant which was first introduced this year, Teng said it is expected to benefit 1,000 Selangor SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises) with an initial grant of RM5 million.
He said the initiative aims to assist SMEs to digitalise their businesses to improve and to sustain their sales.
“For the first batch, we have managed to disburse RM1.2 million to 280 SMEs out of 492 applicants. While for the second batch, RM1.6 million has been disbursed to 370 applicants,” he said
With RM2.2 million left to be handed out, he said SMEs should not miss this opportunity to digitalise their businesses.
“Therefore, I encourage SMEs to apply for this grant as digitalisation is definitely the way to ensure the survival of businesses,” he said.
This year’s SAP, which ended last month, saw 30 competitive and innovative startups from various industries focusing on Agritech, Fintech, Greentech, e-Commerce and Smart City Solutions.
The SAP is a structured three-month programme to help its participants polish up their products and services as well as to prepare them in becoming investment-ready.
Teng said to date, 120 startups have already been nurtured through this programme which is now into its fourth year.
“I am definitely glad to have witnessed the growth of the economy brought about by these various initiatives carried out so far.
“It is my hope that businesses in the state continue to grow exponentially and continue to tremendously contribute to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product).”
