PRIME will drive digital adaptation, boost competitiveness of MSMEs - Saifuddin

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 27 -- The Digital Economy Realisation Programme (PRIME) is an initiative drawn up to drive digital adaptation among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as boost their competitiveness, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

He said PRIME, an initiative under MYNIC, an agency under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM), is offering 20,000 free .BIZ.MY domain names to eligible MSMEs, involving an estimated value of RM1.6 million.

“We hope the free .BIZ.MY domain name will encourage entrepreneurs to venture into online business and e-commerce platforms in a bid to grow their businesses, in line with various government initiatives in driving the digital economy,” he said.

“MSMEs are the backbone of the country’s economic growth and KKMM supports this initiative (PRIME) to help drive the digital economy in Malaysia,” he said after launching PRIME virtually, here today.

Saifuddin said various government initiatives such as the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA), the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN) as well as the establishment of the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Council would not only stimulate economic growth, but also increase employment opportunities.

He said KKMM is responsible for one of the six clusters under the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Council, namely the digital infrastructure and data cluster.

The cluster has three work components, namely connectivity through the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA), cyber security aspects in convincing the people that being online is safe and readiness to use the device, he said.

MYNIC chief executive officer Datuk Hasnul Fadhly Hasan said the .BIZ.MY domain would provide an opportunity for MSMEs to choose a unique and distinctive business identity, as well as help grow their business not only locally but also globally.

“MYNIC will implement the Digital Entrepreneurship Training programme to train 5,000 MSMEs registered under PRIME next year, and the digital directory development will be introduced by MYNIC in mid-2021 to provide exposure and further strengthen digital platforms,” he said.

At the event, MYNIC signed a collaboration on .BIZ.MY adaptation with 10 strategic partners including the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry, Rural Development Ministry, Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

Other agencies are Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), SME Corp, Perbadanan Usahawan Johor Sdn Bhd, Pahang Go Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation and UTMSPACE.

--BERNAMA