Nearly 90,000 entrepreneurs join PLATS initiative to strengthen businesses

By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Up to 88,000 entrepreneurs have joined the Selangor Platform (PLATS) initiative to expand their market reach and strengthen their businesses.

Its senior manager and project director Siti Nur Hazwani Md Sabudin said the digitalisation programme, introduced in 2020, has benefited tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, particularly those in the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) category.

“PLATS was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic out of concern for the fate of traders. We aimed to bring especially micro-entrepreneurs together under one roof to better coordinate assistance and other forms of support.

“When we first launched in 2020, only about 133 traders joined. Now, as PLATS approaches its sixth year, around 88,000 entrepreneurs have come on board,” she said.

Hazwani was speaking during the sharing session ‘Selangor Empowering Local Entrepreneurs’, in conjunction with the One District One Industry (SDSI) National Showcase 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) yesterday.

She added that through collaboration with state implementing agencies, PLATS introduced four entrepreneur development modules under the PLATS Entrepreneur Development Training (U-PLATS) programme: U-PLATS Digital, U-PLATS Halal, U-PLATS Financing, and U-PLATS Expand.

The combination of all four modules not only bridges digital and financial gaps but also builds stronger business resilience among small and micro entrepreneurs in Selangor.

“We are working with the local authorities through the U-PLATS Digital module, managed by the Selangor Youth Community (SAY), to train entrepreneurs in digitalisation, including providing Point-of-Sale (POS) systems to eligible participants.

“Through POS, digital payment transactions can be carried out, and business owners can also access information like stock levels and sales statistics, all within the system.

“From U-PLATS Digital, participants are screened to ensure only those truly eligible and ready progress to the next stage — U-PLATS Halal, conducted by Halal International Selangor (HIS).

“As a result, eight out of 10 traders selected for the first U-PLATS series successfully obtained halal certification — an 80 per cent success rate,” Hazwani said.

Previously, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said that PLATS is a comprehensive ecosystem which can provide local entrepreneurs with the opportunity to grow through access to training, financing, and market networks.