Go digital, traditional businesses urged
13 July 2017 Print page
KUALA LUMPUR: To keep up with rapidly changing consumer patterns and business ecosystems, traditional businesses should merge their offline, brick and mortar businesses to connect with online customers.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong urged these businesses to tap into the vast online market where spending methods were different.
“This is what online-to-offline (O2O) means. It is not asking you to drop your hard-built commitment to your existing operations.
“Extend your branding and marketing through social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp and WeChat.
“Digital connectivity, as a revolution in economic activities, contributes nearly 16% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“Through the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), RM162mil has been allocated to implement programmes such as e-commerce ecosystem, Digital Maker Movement and introduction of new location categories such as the Malaysia Digital Hub,” said Dr Wee.
He said MDEC would, by the end of the month, finalise the consolidation of existing incentives that would benefit SMEs involved in e-commerce under the International Trade and Industry Ministry, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation and SME Corp.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) Conference 2017 here yesterday, Dr Wee urged SMEs to look out for announcements in October on the Digital Free Trade Zone’s range of programmes for SMEs.
Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/07/13/go-digital-traditional-businesses-urged/#Ydk78WMFedbWfltl.99