SIBU: The state government views conducting business using digital application as crucial to ensure that state-produced products can penetrate the market at a faster pace.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said in line with this, the Agriculture Department would roll out courses relating to digital economy and e-commerce.
“With the approach towards digital economy, I believe that the state will be able to produce far-sighted entrepreneurs and of global standard.
“This is because through digital application, entrepreneurs not only can promote their products, but can also communicate with other entrepreneurs who produce the same products, besides sharing with one another the knowledge to up self-quality and product,” he said at the state-level Agro-Based Industry (IAT) dinner here on Sunday.
His text-of-speech was read by Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, also said the government is taking drastic initiatives to eradicate poverty in the state. Various programmes slated for improving their income and narrow the income-gap had been planned and implemented, he added. In an effort to transform socio-economy, Uggah said the government had taken steps through the state Agriculture Department to implement several programmes such as the establishment of collection, processing and packaging centres (CPPC).
“Therefore, the IAT (agro-based industry) section is very important and needs to up the activities so that the downstream agriculture industry in Sarawak will always be fresh and continue to flourish,” he said.
Uggah said the issue of quality agricultural products and safe consumption is now a key requirement before ‘we export our produce’.
“Hence, we need to strengthen our capacity to comply with international food safety and quality standards so that agricultural-based food production can explore the markets of developed countries and other importing countries,” he stressed.
Touching on the three-day state-level Agro-Based Industry (IAT) Entrepreneur Carnival 2017 held here from Oct 27 to 29, Uggah said the carnival provided opportunities to entrepreneurs to increase their knowledge, skills, and experience to enhance themselves, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit and development of agro-based industries. Sarawak Agriculture Department deputy director Dr Alvin Chai Lian Kuet also spoke at the function.
At the same function, Ngu Nge Kiong won RM2,500 after he was adjudged as the winner of ‘Anugerah Usahawan Jaya IAT 2017’, while Rohayu Ahmad pocketed RM1,500 as the winner of ‘Promising IAT Entrepreneur 2017 Award’.
Jessy Keling Ngau, meanwhile, took home RM1,000 for winning ‘Promising IAT Entrepreneur (Rural) 2017 Award’.