KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 — Bumiputera entrepreneurs need to quickly master digital technology skills if they want to attain their economic empowerment goals, said Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia youth wing chairman Hisham Abdul Hamid.
Commenting on the outcome of the 2024 Bumiputera Economic Congress (KEB) held recently, he said one of the key challenges in empowering the bumiputera economy is getting them to master emerging technologies so that they can adapt to the digital economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0).
“It’s not just a question of understanding the latest technologies but also about applying them in entrepreneurial aspects and being innovative enough to create added value in the new economy. It’s important to assess and adapt existing economic empowerment programmes based on current and future needs.
“This includes ensuring the programmes implemented are relevant to global economic trends and new technologies, and focusing on the development of entrepreneurial skills and innovation, especially among young bumiputera entrepreneurs,” he told Bernama recently.
KEB 2024, held between Feb 29 and March 2, was organised by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development through Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), and the Ministry of Economy. The congress is a platform to formulate policies that can help raise the socioeconomic status of bumiputeras.
Hisham said socioeconomic factors play a crucial role in determining the capabilities of bumiputeras in the digital economy era.
Pointing to KEB 2024, he said it stressed the importance of improving access to high-quality education and capital for young bumiputera entrepreneurs.
“Quality education not only opens up career opportunities but also empowers young bumiputera entrepreneurs to be innovative,” he said, adding better access to capital will enable them to turn business ideas into reality.
He also said improving their access to education and vocational training in fields relevant to the future economy is key to overcoming barriers, namely the shortage of skills and technical capabilities, that prevent young bumiputeras from seizing opportunities in high-innovation industries.
— Bernama
