KUALA LUMPUR: Aeon Co. (M) Bhd has targeted to recruit about 100 micro small-medium enterprises (SMEs) by this year to partake in its Pupuk@AEON programme.
The initiative was launched today in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to empower micro entrepreneurs and increase their competence while expanding their market reach.
The general merchandise stores (GMS) and supermarkets operator said the programme reflected one of the efforts under the Small Entrepreneur Digitisation Empowerment Programme, a digitisation initiative under the People’s Protection and Economic Rehabilitation Package (Pemulih).
“The five-year Pupuk@Aeon is aimed at empowering micro SMEs through more systematic digitisation methods for more effective, systematic and competitive online marketing and sales,” the company said.
AEON will also open up its existing ecosystem to provide business development opportunities to micro enterprises, utilising its sales products and services, physical and digital stores, logistics network and communication channels as well as financial services through AEON Credit Service (M) Bhd.
AEON Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Shafie Shamsuddin said the company aspired to kick-start its role in creating positive impact to micro SMEs by enabling their business to grow forward, despite the challenges brought upon by the pandemic.
“We believe business development for micro SMEs will improve via the PUPUK@AEON programme, which in turn will enhance our economy and create employment opportunities as well as to generate income for the local community,” he said in a virtual conference at the launch of Pupuk@AEON programme, here yesterday.
AEON said the majority of micro entrepreneurs run through the community internet centre (CIC) throughout the country, with products including food pastes, cakes, chips and biscuits, frozen foods, sewing products such as face masks and apparels.
Under the programme, Shafie said AEON would provide micro SMEs with assistance through its ecosystem and platform, allowing businesses to enhance their digital penetration and promote cashless society.
“We will coach micro SMEs from the beginning to ensure their products are available for the right demand. With the AEON platform, they can scale up their output for both products and sales.
“We also provide them with hand-holding experience to improve their products certification and give them access via our platform to expand their exports reach for bigger capacity in new markets,” he said, adding that this would assist in economic recovery to enhance business expansion and job creation.
MCMC chairman Dr. Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek said Pupuk@Aeon was similar initiative by the government to enhance digitalisation adoption among micro entrepreneurs.
“We provide trainings for micro SMEs to enhance their entreprenuerial skills and utilise the usage of internet among the business community. Our role is to help them to succeed. We minimise the risk of failure by ensuring micro SMEs’ products quality and its packaging at the right level, while providing the market access for their products at the right platform.”
Fadhlullah said Pupuk@AEON was one of the initiatives to nurture micro SMEs to assist them in supporting the country’s economic growth and ensure continued sustenances.
“We hope to entice many micro SMEs to join the programme, refining new ways how to do business and help micro SMEs to understand about market demand and its whole ecosystem,” he added.
Source: New Straits Times
