Kubang menerong: The PERDA Expo (Expert) held at Midtown Perda Kubang Menerong has successfully exceeded its RM2 million sales and contracts target, attracting more than 75,000 visitors since last Thursday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) chairman Datuk Shaik Hussein Mydin highlighted the achievement as a testament to PERDA’s commitment to fostering digital transformation among local rural entrepreneurs. All sales transactions at the expo were conducted through cashless methods, aligning with the theme “Digital Transformation, Entrepreneurship Reform” to encourage entrepreneurs to embrace digitalisation and enhance their competitiveness.
“Our goal in organising Expert this year is to ensure that more entrepreneurs use digital methods of cashless transactions and that everyone successfully implements it,” Shaik Hussein stated. He expressed hopes to expand the expo next year with support from the Penang Bumiputera Development Council (MPBPP) and the Prime Minister’s Department.
During the Expert 2025 Opening Ceremony, officiated by MPBPP chairman Tan Sri Khalid Ramli, Shaik Hussein noted the advantages that participation in such events offers entrepreneurs guided by PERDA, making them more competitive. He also revealed that PERDA is developing a new digital application to rival existing gig economy platforms, aimed at improving business efficiency and profitability for bumiputera entrepreneurs.
“We expect this app to be ready within six months from now, and after that, we will test-run it first before it is fully implemented. I am confident that next year, all these businesses will be able to get used to the PERDA app and use it in the future to strengthen their businesses,” he added.
This year’s fourth edition of Expert featured 252 entrepreneur booths from sectors such as food, services, local innovation, and technology. Shaik Hussein described Expert as a strategic platform to elevate local entrepreneurs’ products and services, empower the bumiputera economy, and promote digital transformation and entrepreneurial competitiveness.
Khalid emphasized the importance of digital transformation and entrepreneurial reform as foundations for a more inclusive and technology-centric development of bumiputera entrepreneurs, urging them to innovate, embrace change, and collaborate to stay relevant in the global market.
The four-day event included activities like the MADANI Agro Sales, Young Entrepreneur Pitch competition, and MyfutureJobs @ Expert 2025 career carnival. The MADANI Bumiputera Entrepreneur Award was presented to 17 local companies across five categories, recognizing their leadership, innovation, social responsibility, and alignment with MADANI values. This award serves as inspiration for the Penang entrepreneurial ecosystem to continue growing based on integrity, sustainability, and resilience amidst global economic challenges.