TECHNOLOGY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP DRIVES PAHANG’S ECONOMY – ANOTHER INITIATIVE FROM YAYASAN PAHANG AND UCYP

Entrepreneurship among the youngsters is one of the highlighted focuses in Pahang. The youngsters are no longer expected to find jobs but rather encouraged to act as job creators. Such practice should be nurtured at an early stage especially among the school and higher learning institution students including the public in general. Ample time is needed to inculcate the culture and value of entrepreneurship before any desired outcome can be achieved.

Technology is found as one of the mediums that could enhance productivity and encourage competition among business sector players. Internet and software applications could assist entrepreneurs to market and promote their products locally and globally. Technology is capable  of keeping businesses relevant and meeting the market demands. Having that in mind, Yayasan Pahang in collaboration with UCYP is organizing an online sharing platform for the novice and in-market entrepreneurs starting or upgrading businesses by integrating technology.

The webinar entitled Technology is the Driver to Entrepreneurship (Teknologi Pemacu Pembangunan Usahawan) was held on 12 January 2022 via ZOOM platform. This virtual programme has brought together more than 100 entrepreneurs and industry representatives. Yang Hormat Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Bin Ismail who is a member of the Board of Directors of Yayasan Pahang in his opening speech said, Yayasan Pahang has trained a total of more than 1000 entrepreneurs from various fields. In addition, Yayasan Pahang also offers early financing for entrepreneurs who wish to be involved in business.

Involvement in entrepreneurship not only requires business capital but also  interest and commitment from the entrepreneur. These people should always equip themselves with knowledge in business such as skills in financial management, business administration and marketing which could determine their business direction.

In addition, the knowledge and skills in the application of technology that are suitable for the business can increase the quality of the services as well as the products. Therefore, the exposure gained from the experts in this webinar is crucial to ensure that a balance between business and technology can be established. In other words, the entrepreneurs can grow in tandem with the advancement of technology and remain competitive both locally and globally.

The webinar session continued with a presentation from National and Pahang State Youth Icon 2020 (Tokoh Belia Negara & Pahang 2020) who is also the Founder of Digital Entrepreneur Hub and Smart Belia Malaysia, Puan Nurliana Binti Muhammad. Through her presentation on Empowering Malaysian Entrepreneur Development via Big Data, Nurliana stressed the importance of developing the socio-economics among the youth entrepreneurs as implemented in other developed countries. According to her, freelance activities, gig and the technology-based economy will gain greater attention.  Therefore, youth entrepreneurs need to be ready with their business planning as a preparation to face the near future.

She also introduced the Entrepreneur Hub agenda related to technology, innovation and k-economy. The hub also highlighted the National Entrepreneur Policy 2030 and National Youth Policy. In addition, the agenda focuses on the development of five target groups namely unemployed youth, rural youth, disabled youth, indigenous people and young single mothers.

The two-session webinar presented five (5) invited speakers namely, Encik Munir Ashim Bin Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer / Founder of GrasiCili Plt., Puan Mazlina Binti Mansor, Director of SIRIM Pahang, Encik Mohd Nizam Bin Mohd Nizat, Deputy Director of MARDI Entrepreneur Development Program and Encik Ts. Mohamad Yusman Bin Ammeran, Head of Division, SME TM Malaysia. They were invited due to their wide experiences and expertise in developing and/or participating in technology-based entrepreneur programs. The sharing managed to provide optimum exposure to the entrepreneurs, especially the younger group, on the challenges and possible solutions to problems.

The sharing session with the youth entrepreneurs ended with a closing speech from Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Hj. Zainuddin, Vice-Chancellor of UCYP. He believed that the number of entrepreneurs in Malaysia could be increased. This figure should be improved by at least 30 percent of entrepreneurs who can generate the country’s economy. Entrepreneurs need to constantly innovate in providing services, products including marketing so that the business is always in high demand. He is also satisfied with the programme as it indirectly provides an opportunity for young entrepreneurs, youth and students to innovate more for the creation of new products and businesses.

Written by: Farah Hariaty Mohd Shukri

The webinar is officiated by YH Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Bin Ismail,

member, Board of Director of Yayasan Pahang

Sharing session with En. Munir Ashim Bin Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer/

Founder of GrasiCili Plt.

Puan Mazlina Bt Mansor, Director of SIRIM Pahang presenting on Digital Marketing

Puan Nurliana Binti Muhammad, the founder of Digital Entrepreneur Hub & Smart Belia Malaysia