MyBazar, MDEC to focus on creating local digital entrepreneurs

By Digital News Asia March 28, 2018

MyBazar initiates Blee with 500 selected local merchants selling more than 2,000 products
Programme targets micro as well as rural merchants and entrepreneurs

MyBazar, MDEC to focus on creating local digital entrepreneurs

IN LINE with the Government's 2018 initiative to empower local entrepreneurs for digital economic growth, e-commerce marketplace MyBazar Malaysia (www.mybazar.com) has been appointed by Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) as the first online platform to pilot a programme called Blee, focused on unlocking growth opportunities of the digital economy to local sellers.

Representing 76.5% of businesses in Malaysia according to SME Corp, local, micro businesses are poised to become a major growth and employment engine in the country.

MyBazar, which had commenced operations since June 2017 aims to break through to sellers of the non-urban areas by integrating social networking in their B2B2C marketplace, localised user-friendly interface and direct off-line merchant engagement.

MyBazar initiates the Blee programme with 500 selected local merchants selling more than 2,000 products ranging from foodstuffs to fashion, home décor and handicrafts.

Blee which stands for ‘Barangan Luarbiasa Eksklusif e-Usahawan’, is aimed at widening the reach and boosting the adoption of e-commerce nationwide by targeting micro and rural merchants and entrepreneurs.

This will directly contribute toward growth of local businesses as well as closing a commercial and income divide between rural and urban Malaysia.

Malaysian consumers, on the other hand, will be able to access a dedicated all-local product shopping portal consisting of high quality local products which are exclusive, unique and hard-to-find in urban stores or shopping malls.

MyBazar chief executive officer Fazil Irwan Som commented, “We are honoured to be the first platform to promote these exclusive local products and to be part of this national agenda to help entrepreneurs. Together with MDEC under the e-Usahawan programme, MyBazar works to empower our local businesses to grow stronger and bigger. At the same time, we are also excited to give Malaysians the opportunity to purchase their favourite ‘kampung’ delicacies with just a few clicks at their own convenience.”

Helping local entrepreneurs thrive

On the economic front, the initiative intends to propel local micro businesses and grassroots entrepreneurs to the forefront and improve competitiveness by removing their location, trading and technology disadvantage.

Embedded on-line payment and shipping solution for the first time will enable micro merchants to showcase, sell and deliver their unique products to customers seamlessly across the country.

Under the Blee programme, local entrepreneurs wishing to begin their online selling journey will be registered under the e-Usahawan digital training programme by MDEC.

To encourage e-commerce adoption, registered Blee sellers will also receive free shipping, full waiver of handling or commission fees until their business has reached a certain level of profitability ensuring they have every opportunity to be successful.

“Our field engagements across the country were true eye-openers. We have experienced first-hand the difference and the boost to local communities this initiative brings. It is a pure delight to witness the positive impact Blee brings to often overlooked small businesses,” said MyBazar marketing director Aaliyah Soraya Darus.

Blee - Barangan Luarbiasa Eksklusif e-Usahawan

Entrepreneurs who are keen to join the Blee programme can do so by registering their business at the www.mybazar.com/blee website. Similarly, consumers can explore and purchase exclusive Blee products by visiting MyBazar website or by downloading their apps.

The Blee initiative commences with MyBazar’s long term goal of bringing authentic local brands and products to the national and later to the international market, as the marketplace aims to connect cross-border selling and buying activities between countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans, Turkey, CIS and Africa within the next three years.

“We are aiming to get 1,500 merchants to be onboarded on the Blee programme by end of 2018,” added Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Corporate Affairs Division vice president Mohd Razaleigh Zainal.