BATU KAWAN, July 14 — The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) will set up 38 digital economy centres (PEDi) in Penang at an estimated cost of RM49.4 million to produce and empower small entrepreneurs towards innovative and competitive digitalisation.
Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said the allocation covers the PEDi operational costs over a period of five years.
“One of the centres will be built in Pulau Aman estimated to cost RM1.3 million,” she said adding that so far there are only three PEDi in Penang.
“The PEDi in Pulau Aman is aimed at helping almost 200 residents whose livelihoods had been greatly affected by COVID-19 due to limited mobile network coverage,” she told reporters after officiating at the Semarak Gemilang @ Pulau Aman Programme here today.
Teo said all 38 PEDi are expected to be fully operational by the end of January or early February next year.
“We are also working with e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Lazada to train those interested in becoming vendors and they will be able to learn ways to design posters and packagings,” she said.
It is hoped that through the PEDI, the products to be sold by the entrepreneurs on Pulau Aman could further be marketed to neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Thailand, she added.
PEDi is KKD’s main initiative for the local community in fostering the positive use of the Internet and opening up opportunities for all to pioneer businesses online or through e-commerce platforms.
