The e-commerce market is expected to grow at an exponential rate in the upcoming year. In 2013, the global worth of business-to-business e-commerce exceeded $15 trillion while business-to consumer reaching $1.2 trillion.
As we previously reported, Thailand is already working with UNCTAD to enhance knowledge sharing on the topic of e-commerce. Now, Malaysia is starting to tune into this growing trend.
Malaysia’s Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) has partnered with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution to initiate the eUsahawan programme. This programme works to encourage and educate vocational college students and micro entrepreneurs on digital entrepreneurship. MDeC aims to drive youth towards the economic opportunities posed by digital technologies.
Starting February 2016, aspiring entrepreneurs will be able to join the eUsahawan courses on digital entrepreneurship through the following portals:
- Website: https://online.jpkk.edu.my/epsh/login
- Mobile application: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phonegap.ccsmartv2
- Walk-in : Kolej Komuniti locations nationwide which are listed in the following website: https://www.jpkk.edu.my/jpkk/index.php/maklumat-kami/senarai-kolej-komuniti.html
- Download feedback form: https://www.jpkk.edu.my/jpkk/index.php/hubungi-kami/borang-maklumbalas.html
The federal government of Malaysia has allocated RM100 million towards the e-Rezeki and eUsahawan programme in the 2016 budget plan through the national agenda for Digital Malaysia. The government provides RM30 million funding towards youth entrepreneurship programmes, carried out by agencies such as Global Entrepreneurship Community, BAHTERA, GREAT, and 1MET.
“As a result of the eUsahawan initiative, 2,148 of 2,363 students involved have cultivated an online presence, while more than 78 per cent of them are already generating additional income via their online presence,” stated MDeC CEO Yasmin Mahmood.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak noted that the digital economy market is predicted to increase up to RM88 billion in 2016. He urged youth to tap into their digital entrepreneurial skills in order to capitalise off this growing market because the Internet offers them limitless opportunities.
“Before, we are used to wanting to work in the public or private sector, but through the eUsahawan programme, we will develop young technopreneurs who are able to self-employ and increase their income,” he stated during the launch of eUsahawan programme this past week.
In its pilot stage, Prime Minsiter Najib said that the eUsahawan program showed promising results. 147 campuses from the four largest TVET institutions have been involved in the pilot since July of this year. The programme is looking to expand the eUsahawan programme to 15 TVET agencies and 463 centres nationwide by the year 2020, MDeC’s CEO had stated.