KUCHING: A graduation ceremony of the Sarawak Tech Savvy Entrepreneur Development Initiative (STEDI) programme marked the empowerment of 25 local entrepreneurs.
 
The ceremony, held at the English Teahouse by Grand Margherita here, recently, came after the successful completion of the six-month curriculum for the participants coming from a diverse business background of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Sarawak.
 
According to a statement on Monday, the programme is a collaboration between Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Sarawak Business Fund (SBF) under the BizFund that was established by the Sarawak government through the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED).
 
In his opening remarks during the graduation ceremony, SDEC Chief Executive Officer, Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman expressed confidence that the STEDI programme would benefit business owners and MSMEs, aiming to enhance their competitiveness through digitalisation.
 
“With support from MINTRED and SBF, ongoing assistance is assured to ensure the success of STEDI and to sustain a platform that elevates the digitalisation of entrepreneurs in Sarawak,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, Co-Chairman of SBF BizRecovery Fund and Deputy Treasurer of Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Anne Kung in her keynote speech opined that the STEDI programme aligns perfectly with SBF’s mission to aid MSMEs in Sarawak by equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to embrace digitalisation and enhance their skills.
 
“This support would not only help them survive but also thrive after the COVID-19 pandemic. SBF hopes such programmes will continue and pledges full support to help Sarawakian SMEs become more digitally proficient and resilient in the evolving business landscape,” Kung added.
 
Among others, the graduation ceremony also featured a deep dive discussion entitled, ‘Empowering Sarawakian SMEs in the Digital Era’ which delved into how government policies and the efforts of business associations intersect to bolster the growth and resilience of these vital economic players in Sarawak.
 
The discussion was moderated by SDEC Manager of SME Digitalisation, Amirrul Rizwan Hafiz and involved panelists including Kung, MINTRED Deputy Permanent Secretary, Lo Sheau Sea, and Ketua Dewan Muda of Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS), Wan Najib Wan Hamdan.
 
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to all graduates by Lo, Sudarnoto, and Kung. -UKASnews