The DesaMall @ KPLB, a Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) initiative for rural entrepreneurs to market their products online, recorded RM1.45 million in sales since it was launched at end-2017 until August this year.
Rural Development Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad said the total sales value was derived from 1,572 products marketed involving 21,498 stock-keeping units (SKUs).
He said the ministry planned to produce about 80,000 entrepreneurs in the next two years to meet the growing demand, especially under the new normal culture.
“So far, only 1,660 rural entrepreneurs have taken advantage of this initiative (DesaMall @ KPLB).
“Hence, we call on more entrepreneurs to seize this golden opportunity as we market DesaMall @ KPLB products on leading e-Commerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee and eBay since June 2018,” he told reporters after officiating the Desamall @ Mersing gallery at the Air Merah Rural Community Centre here, today.
Present were the Ministry of Rural Development secretary-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus and Endau Assemblyman Alwiyah Talib.
Abd Latiff said in line with the new normal culture, his ministry was speeding up the expansion of the DesaMall @ KPLB programme by forging strategic collaborations with administrator companies, namely eLokal and Grab Malaysia, which is aimed at promoting and driving e-commerce acceptance to help rural entrepreneurs market their products online.
He said at the initial stage, three pick-up points for GrabMart were provided in Putrajaya, Kelana Jaya and Batu Caves (both in Selangor) before being expanded to five other locations in collaboration with the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) through RisSMart; and Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) through HeMAT and CELCOM Axiata Bhd.
“All locations are offering 150 products (to be increased from time to time) ranging from groceries, beauty, health, baby to children’s items.
“The government’s priority now is to open more opportunities in the field of online entrepreneurship and increase opportunities for rural folks (entrepreneurs) to increase sales revenue,” he said.
On the Desamall @ Mersing gallery, the Air Merah Rural Community Centre, through the administrator companies and Storehub, will introduce non-contact purchases at DesaMall @ Mersing using QR codes where buyers can scan QR codes, place orders and make payments via smartphone for purchases of products or self pick-ups. — BERNAMA
