KUANTAN: East coast entrepreneurs must prepare to seize economic opportunities when the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) begins operations in December.
National Entrepreneur and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Council special adviser Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the ECRL would offer more than just transport connectivity, with the potential to stimulate economic activity, tourism, logistics and trade across Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
The ECRL, which will connect Kota Baru to the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal via Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, is scheduled to begin operations on Dec 12.
Wan Rosdy said the rail link would open up new opportunities for entrepreneurs to reach more customers, strengthen supply chains and expand their businesses.
"It will create opportunities for MSMEs in various sectors, including food and beverage, accommodation, transportation, goods supply and support services.
"I want entrepreneurs to start preparing early, improve their service quality and ensure their products meet market demand. They must use business gatherings as platforms to explore potential collaborations.
"Stronger cooperation in marketing, product distribution, raw material supply and market expansion could create more opportunities for local businesses to grow," he told reporters after attending a dialogue with east coast MSME entrepreneurs at the Youth and Sports Complex here today.
Wan Rosdy, who is also Pahang menteri besar, said MSMEs must not merely be spectators to this major connectivity development but should position themselves to benefit from it and drive economic growth in the east coast region.
Meanwhile, he said the business landscape was changing rapidly, with rising operating costs, global economic uncertainties, supply chain shifts and evolving consumer demands requiring entrepreneurs to become more efficient and better prepared for competition.
"I urge entrepreneurs not to fear change, particularly when it comes to adopting technology. For example, artificial intelligence can help with marketing, customer service, sales analysis and operational management," he said.
On the dialogue, Wan Rosdy said it provided an opportunity to engage directly with entrepreneurs and hear first-hand about their experiences and challenges.
"I want to hear what assistance they need, the challenges they face and what improvements the government and relevant agencies can make. We do not want assistance to be provided without taking into account the actual needs of its recipients.
"We are here not to find fault with anyone, but to find solutions. Every initiative must deliver clear benefits to entrepreneurs," he said.
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