A platform to advance digital entrepreneurs

KUCHING: The Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) plays an important role in the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) which is the Sarawak government’s guide in advancing the digital economy.

TEGAS chief executive officer Udin Bujang said TEGAS, through the TEGAS Digital Village (TDV) and the TEGAS Digital Innovation Hub (TDIH) in Kuching, Bintulu and Miri, has also become a platform that supports the startup ecosystem in Sarawak.

He said the programmes designed focus on empowering digital entrepreneurs, especially the youth, so that they can compete at the global level.

“In addition, TDV and TDIH also provide facilities such as office space, auditorium, meeting room, training room and event space that can be rented at reasonable rates.

“All the facilities are equipped with a fast internet network and advanced technology,” he said in his text of speech read by TEGAS Community Innovative Learning senior manager Fredick Kevin Buseli in conjunction with the Sarawak Career and Training Fair (SCaT Fair) 2024 at Hikmah Exchange, here today.

In fact, at last year’s SCaT Fair series, he said, TEGAS was mandated by the Premier to develop TEGAS Lodge Sarawak (TLS), which is a place of residence or Co-Living equipped with various facilities such as a multi-purpose hall, digital gym and co-working space.

He said the objective of establishing this TLS is to attract Digital Nomads so that they can come to Sarawak and indirectly be able to collaborate with local start-up companies and further contribute to the development of Sarawak’s digital ecosystem.

Besides that, Udin said, the student talent development programme in digital skills, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through TEGAS Community Innovative Learning (TCIL) also helps in contributing to the PCDS Plan 2030.

“High-impact programmes such as SCaT Fair, PRO DR Tour, Think & Thinker Mini Lab and Community Outreach have successfully added value to the state government’s initiative in Sarawak’s Digital Agenda,” he said.

The closing ceremony of SCaT Fairs was officiated by Deputy Minister of Transport (Land and Air) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, who is also the deputy chairman of TEGAS.

Also present were deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Anielia Siam, Petronas general manager (Asset Integrity Management) Ramzienan Mohamad, chief executive officer of Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak Ali Suhaili, PETROS External Relations advisor Muammar Quaddafi Abdul Razak, manager of 

Social Security Organisation (SOCSO)’s Employment Service Unit Rowyna Blair Rogers and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) senior executive administrator Awin Anuar.