KUALA LUMPUR – The Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) at Felda Soeharto in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor has seen good participation and is raising more awareness about the benefits of digital entrepreneurship by sharing participants’ stories.
The centre’s manager, Rossyafira Muhammad, said Felda settlers here have welcomed its business training workshops and ICT programmes, which are given free.
However, she said there is still a long way to go in spreading awareness about greater digital adoption so that people here can succeed as entrepreneurs.
“So far, the participation is very good because the programmes are free.
“We need to constantly spread awareness about participants’ achievements so that there will be a bigger mindset change here that aligns with digital development,” she said when met at the centre in Felda Soeharto recently.
Since the centre started here in 2013, it has assisted 147 active business owners in Felda Soeharto, Rossyafira said.
“However, the number of participants in workshops and entrepreneurs’ training exceeds the number of those who are active business owners,” she said, explaining the need for greater awareness to drive more digital adoption.
“Every year, we aim for an increase in the number of participants and active entrepreneurs; next year we aim for 300 active business owners,” she added.
Programmes by PEDi run the gamut from the initial stages of development to digital marketing, and content is regularly updated.
The centre also gives ICT training according to age groups or stage of life.
“Every group from kindergarten, students, businessmen, youths and senior citizens have different skill levels. Digital development is also always changing, so we always update the programmes,” Rossyafira said.
Nationwide, PEDi has helped to create 27,963 active entrepreneurs as of June through its various programmes.
PEDi, which is under the Communications and Digital Ministry, has been allocated RM25 million under Budget 2024 to strengthen its role.
On November 29, the PEDi Madani Conference on “Catalyst for the National Digital Economy” will be held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, and aims to bring together businessmen and entrepreneurs from around the country.
For the first time since PEDi was established in 2007, the conference will be officiated by the prime minister. – November 19, 2023