KUALA LUMPUR – Traders should make full use of funds provided by the government to market their products online, said Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
He said while the movement control order (MCO) was in effect to curb Covid-19 transmission, they should utilise all possible opportunities to generate income.
“Today I visited entrepreneurs under the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda)...and to see how small and medium businesses (SMEs) are doing and what they have achieved.
“My advice to these entrepreneurs is to take advantage of opportunities to start an online business and not to be disheartened during the MCO. We have seen how the pandemic has increased sales for online companies, as consumers have turned to online shopping,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul said this when met by reporters today after visiting two entrepreneurs under the Additional Economic Activity (AET) programme in Kg Serting Ilir. Present was Risda chairman Datuk Mohd Salim Sharif.
Risda’s AET project was initiated to encourage entrepreneurship and help increase smallholders’ income through product, marketing and knowledge delivery,
Tengku Zafrul later officiated the Digital and Multimedia Learning Programme Centre here, which provides internet facilities for remote learning.
During his working visit to Jempol district, the finance minister also handed over tablets to 20 primary and secondary school students from low-income families.
Nurul Azma Shafiqah Khairul Azhar, who manages the centre said, currently the centre is equipped with seven laptops and a smart television.
“The centre began operating last week, catering to families with several school-aged children who lack devices for remote learning.
“The response has been encouraging and the centre can accommodate a maximum of 10 students while maintaining physical distancing,” she said, adding that it is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. – Bernama, February 14, 2021
