GEORGE TOWN: The Digital Ministry is awaiting a report from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) on how to help SMEs adopt digital technology.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the Penang MDEC office is currently contacting local small and medium enterprises to understand their needs.
"They will submit a report in the first quarter. The report will determine their needs, the problems they face, and how we can get the digital transformation process moving," he said.
He added that similar dialogues were held recently in Ipoh and Taiping.
He spoke after officiating the Exclusive Dialogue Session on Digital Adoption for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Penang.
"The report will provide us with the data to determine what we understand by digital adoption. Does it mean the SMEs are using AI technology?
"If we can expect the SMEs’ contribution to the country’s GDP to increase, we can step up the plans aggressively to transform them digitally. The plans would include grants and funding," he said.
Meanwhile, MDEC chief executive officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil said the establishment of the Northern Zone Digital Ministry office in Penang marked a significant milestone to accelerate the SME’s digital transformation in the northern region.
"This office will serve as a dedicated hub for driving digitalisation in this area, providing SMEs with direct access to MDEC’s expertise, programmes and resources," he added.
He said MDEC’s bespoke SME digitalisation programme was aligned with the SME’s digital transformation process.
"Whether your business is just beginning its journey or advancing towards higher levels of digital maturity, we have tailored solutions to support you at every step.
"We also aim to simplify and streamline the digitisation process, allowing SMEs to focus on what they do best — growing their businesses.
"The programme addresses critical SME needs, such as guidance on securing business loans, achieving compliance and transparency throughout your operations, and adapting to the constant flux of change in today’s digital economy," he said.
