PETALING JAYA: Selangor aims to enrol up to 50,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Platform Selangor (Plats) programme by next year.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari expressed confidence in achieving this goal, noting that current registrations have reached 37,000 members since the programme's introduction during Ramadan 2020 amid the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"Starting with 500 members, 133 of whom remain active, Plats serves as a promotional platform and digital directory developed by the Selangor government to help micro-businesses, hawkers, and small retailers digitise their operations and overcome economic challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The first Digital Ramadan Bazaar, launched in 2021, attracted many entrepreneurs to Plats as it allowed them to trade, promote their stalls, and access facilities digitally," he told the media last night.
Earlier, he attended the Platform Selangor Awards Night (MAPS) organised by Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI Selangor, to celebrate the first group of U-Plats (Entrepreneurs).
Present were Selangor state secretary Datuk Haris Kasim; Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneurship Exco Mohd Najwan Halimi; Islamic Affairs and Innovation Culture Exco Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah; and MBI Selangor chief executive officer Saipolyazan M. Yusof.
Amirudin said Selangor will continue to empower and enhance the potential of Plats participants to become digitally proficient.
He said the highest number of members currently comes from Subang Jaya City Council, followed by Shah Alam City Council, Hulu Selangor Municipal Council, and Kajang Municipal Council.
"Plats will not stop here; we will continue to offer facilities, including loan opportunities to start businesses while providing digitalisation assistance and grants.
"We have received positive feedback as this initiative is driven not only by the state government or traders' desires but also by the market readiness in the Klang Valley and Hulu Selangor district, among the fastest-growing areas.
"This is a very positive indicator that Plats is developing as hoped.
"We do not aim to compete with e-hailing services but rather ensure collaboration with everyone to ensure all platforms can market different products," he said.
Twelve participants, representing 12 local authorities, were named the best based on their achievements throughout the Plats digital programme.
Meanwhile, Saipolyazan said that MBI Selangor spends RM5 million annually to expand the Plats programme, demonstrating its commitment to developing and nurturing entrepreneurial talent among the people of Selangor.
"MAPS not only serves as a platform to recognise the achievements of Plats participants but also as a source of inspiration for them to continue advancing and succeeding in entrepreneurship, especially for Selangor micro-entrepreneurs in the future," he said.
As of June 30, 37,018 traders had registered with Plats, a significant achievement resulting from programmes and campaigns organised by Plats in collaboration with 12 local authorities in Selangor and the Selangor Youth Community (SAY), such as Plats Masuk Pasar (PMP), Plats Masuk Bazar during Ramadan, and the U-Plats Digital Entrepreneur Programme.