KPLB extends DesaMall@KPLB to help rural entrepreneurs

ALOR SETAR: The Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) today signed an extension of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Elokal Sdn Bhd to continue with the DesaMall@KPLB programme that seeks to grow rural entrepreneurs' businesses.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the cooperation includes guidance and training for the entrepreneurs; online product marketing, and collaboration with relevant industry players.

DesaMall@KPLB is the ministry's initiative to help rural entrepreneurs to market their products online.

"First of all, we hope entrepreneurs in the rural community including digital entrepreneurs can benefit from this MoU and that Elokal Sdn Bhd can set a target on the number of entrepreneurs that will be trained.

"Secondly, it is hoped that there will be an increase in sales of rural entrepreneurs' products because this MoU also involves financial institutions, so there may be ways and means to provide for payment gateways (to help entrepreneurs)," he told reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony in conjunction with the Keluarga Malaysia Aspirations (AKM) tour at the Darul Aman Stadium, here today.

KPLB secretary-general Datuk Ramlan Harun represented the ministry while Elokal Sdn Bhd was represented by its managing director and DesaMall@KPLB administrator, Ahmad Shah Wahid.

Mahdzir also witnessed the signing of MoUs between Elokal Sdn Bhd with its strategic partners such as MaybankQR, Bank Islam, Bank Simpanan Nasional, Fasspay, Boost Biz, Mesinkira, Foodpanda Malaysia, Lazada, Celcom and Maxis.

KPLB is the lead ministry for the ninth edition of the AKM from Sept 2 to Sept 4, after Johor, Perlis, Sabah, Terengganu, Perak, Kelantan, Sarawak and Selangor.

The AKM tour aims at helping people to get direct information about the government's assistance and planning.

-- BERNAMA