“The Data Star programme is a testament to MDEC’s commitment to develop a robust Big Data Analytics ecosystem in Malaysia,” said MDEC chief executive officer Datuk Yasmin Mahmood. – NORAFIFI EHSAN/The Star.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) is looking to expand startup co-working space under the Malaysia Digital Hub outside of the Klang Valley early next year.
Chief executive officer Datuk Yasmin Mahmood said the expansion was to cater to startup ecosystem growth beyond the Klang Valley and among the potential destinations were Penang and Johor as well as Sabah and Sarawak.
“We are concertedly looking at expanding outside the Klang Valley as startups will be the future job creators and we want to encourage more and more young people to become job creators,” she told reporters after announcing MDEC’s collaboration with Axiata Group Bhd
’s digital services arm, Axiata Digital.
The collaboration will see Axiata Digital extending the services of its Application Programming Interface (API) platform, known as Mobile Internet Fulfilment Exchange (MIFE), to Malaysian businesses as a gateway into the regional marketplace across its footprint countries in Asean and South Asia.
On the existing four digital hubs, Yasmin said MDEC would focus on strengthening these hubs by enriching the communities in the hub.
“We want to make sure that these four (hubs) will become stronger in a sense that they’re not only bigger but richer community in terms of mentoring, corporate partners, funding and talent ecosystems,” she said.
Malaysia Digital Hub is the nucleus of a thriving technology startup ecosystem, where both local and global startups, accelerators, incubators, tech companies as well as investors connect and collaborate.
The hub aims to provide opportunities and support such as market access, Intellectual Property protection, access to investors and talent upskilling, to help entrepreneurs develop and grow their business right here in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, on the collaboration with Axiata Digital, Yasmin said it would help online businesses offer better consumer experience and better monetisation opportunities.
“We believe this will help provide Malaysia’s startups with unprecedented access to Axiata’s over 320 million regional customer base with ease,” she said.
Launched in August 2015, the MIFE has built a network of global and regional partners including major marketplaces such as the Apple App Store and Google Playstore.
Developed in accordance with global API standards and form, it provided businesses a secure access to API services and solutions without exposure to the backend systems and information. - Bernama
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