Malaysia to formulate attractive package for Digital Free-Trade Zone - Najib

Malaysia will formulate an attractive package for the Digital Free-Trade Zone to encourage more people to join the country's e-commerce sector.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the package would be worked out with Alibaba founder Jack Ma, who would be coming to Malaysia to launch the Digital Free Trade Zone in March next year.

"We will discuss details of the incentives, regulations, etc. So, it will be quite an attractive package and many people will be compelled to engage in digital activities at the Digital Free Trade Zone," he said.

He was speaking at a casual session at the e-Entrepreneurs Conference 2016 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here, today.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief executive officer Datuk Yasmin Mahmood were present.

Internet tycoon Jack Ma was appointed as Malaysia's digital economy adviser by Najib during his official to China recently to help spearhead Malaysia's e-commerce development.

The prime minister was responding to a question from a participant, Umarul Ariffin Jeffri, who provides automotive window tinting services, on his (Najib's) meeting with Jack Ma during his visit to China.

Najib urged the people to get involved aggressively in the e-commerce development, not merely becoming bystanders.

He said the use of digital technology in business could help boost revenue many times over rather than through conventional methods.

"We used to buy books from bookstores, but now people are placing orders through Amazon. If we do not keep in steps with this change, we might become 'extinct' like dinosaurs," he said.

Najib also toyed with the idea of the possibility that he would be marketing products like 'Puding Diraja', 'daging opor' and 'Tenun Diraja' from Pekan, Pahang through e-commerce if he were no longer involved in politics.

To a question from healthcare businesswoman Anis A'dilah Noor Azaman on how business people could radiate positive aura in meeting the challenges ahead, Najib said they should stay strong and should not give up easily.

"Despite facing many obstacles or barriers, or if someone hits at us, stabs us in the back, we should never give up, always be optimistic and do not lose our focus," he said.

At the conference, the prime minister also launched the eU@Marketplace programme for entrepreneurs to diversify their revenue.

It is the latest programme launched by MDEC in collaboration with seven online trading platforms, namely Lelong.my; 11street.my; AVANA; EasyStore; AmaxMall; MyBazaar; and Shopee, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to widen their market. -- BERNAMA