PUTRAJAYA: The 2024 Bumiputera Economic Congress (KEB 2024) scheduled for Feb 29 to March 2 is the right platform for the bumiputra to explore new economic opportunities, especially in digital technology, to further strengthen the nation’s halal industry.

Islamic Chamber of Commerce of Malaysia president Mohammad Sahar Mat Din said bumiputra entrepreneurs need to focus on the rapidly growing digital technology-driven economic sector.

“If we look at today’s new market, it is an economy undergoing digital transformation, which is a new leap. If we look at it in general, the statistics show a 23% increase in the growth of this digital economy.

“Apart from that, the companies that dominate the market today are technology-based companies like Apple and Amazon. So too in the context of the Malaysian economy, in which the fastest growing are technology-based companies,” he told Bernama.

On Feb 14, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, at a media briefing after attending the KEB 2024 pre-launch ceremony, said the three-day event will delve into new technologies and economic opportunities to empower the bumiputra community in the country.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said among the topics to be discussed at the congress secretariat level is strengthening institutions and agencies related to the bumiputra economy that has existed since the first KEB in 1965.

Ten clusters covering 10 sectors will be established in KEB 2024, namely Education Reform and Human Capital; Institution of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (Main Career Choice); and Strengthening of Halal Industry.

Other clusters are Rural Development and Empowerment of Orang Asli Communities; Wealth Creation and Corporate Dominance; Competitiveness of Bumiputera Enterprises; Mastery of New Technologies; Felda and Federal Territory Land; Socioeconomy of Sabah Bumiputera; and Socio-economy of Sarawak Bumiputera.

The three-day congress at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here is targeting 3,000 participants and will also include representatives from the Malay, Kadazan, Dusun, Iban and Dayak business chambers as well as representatives from the Orang Asli community.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/02/21/keb-2024-a-platform-for-bumiputra-to-explore-economic-opportunities