Malaysian SMEs must adopt digital technology in post-COVID era

Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said it is imperative that SMEs and micro entrepreneurs digitalise their business operations amid a new business landscape as “we cannot simply assume that the situation will return to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic ends”. 

The pandemic has indirectly boosted the use of technology, and adopting digitalisation would be crucial not only to revive existing businesses, but also to promote new start-ups, the minister said in a statement issued by SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp), the central coordinating agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC). 

“COVID-19 has changed our lifestyle, and with limited physical movement, the use of digital applications is increasing. This situation has encouraged and catalysed the use of information technology,” he said. 

READ: Malaysia aims to bridge the digital divide among workers

Last year, MEDAC – through SME Corp – facilitated 7,851 micro enterprises, including Bumiputera entrepreneurs, to adopt digital technology (e-commerce) in their business operations under its Micro Connector Programme – a continuous initiative by SME Corp to develop micro enterprises and the bottom 40% of household income (B40) community in the country.