Maxis Empowers Sarawak Entrepreneurs Through AI, Digital Marketing

KUCHING, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Maxis Bhd (Maxis) is strengthening its efforts to empower local entrepreneurs in Sarawak through its eKelas Usahawan Accelerator Programme, with 44 participants completing three months of intensive training in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital marketing.

In a statement today, Maxis said the programme’s fourth cohort comprised entrepreneurs from urban and rural areas across Sarawak, operating businesses in sectors including food, beauty, fashion, construction and agriculture.

“Through a hybrid coaching approach, participants learned to use AI to develop promotional materials and content, manage digital marketing campaigns and strengthen their online business presence to reach more customers.

“They were also introduced to digital analytics to better understand customer behaviour and measure the effectiveness of marketing strategies, enabling more informed business decisions,” the statement said.

Maxis said participants successfully applied their digital skills to expand their markets through online platforms and social media, with the cohort recording an average revenue increase of 20 per cent.

To sustain business growth, programme graduates will continue to receive support and guidance through the eKelas Usahawan alumni network.

Maxis chief corporate affairs officer Azizul Abdul Rahman said the programme's progress highlighted the importance of equipping entrepreneurs with digital skills to help them adapt to an evolving economic landscape.

“Maxis is proud of the impact achieved in Sarawak and hopes to extend similar opportunities to more communities to support economic growth through digital empowerment,” he said.

Azizul highlighted Sariah Jeman of Azfar Tailor as one of the programme’s success stories, having more than doubled her monthly business revenue from RM3,705 to RM7,589 after applying the skills acquired during the training.

Sariah said using AI to plan promotional content and digital tools to manage orders had helped her attract new customers and improve operational efficiency.

She said that the increased income had strengthened her family's finances and enabled her to plan equipment upgrades to meet growing customer demand.

Another participant, Heni Lim of ING Collection Shopee, successfully expanded her business by shifting from a physical shop to online platforms.

Heni said learning to create AI-generated content and apply digital marketing strategies had boosted her confidence in expanding through e-commerce, allowing her to receive orders from customers in other states.

“Digital platforms also make it easier for customers to access product information and make purchases without having to visit the shop,” she said.

The eKelas Usahawan Accelerator Programme forms part of Maxis’ eKelas Usahawan initiative, which focuses on empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia through digital technology.

Since December 2024, the programme has trained 200 entrepreneurs, including 96 participants in East Malaysia through cohorts in Sabah and Sarawak.

The initiative also complements Maxis eKelas Usahawan's wider collaboration with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP) to support local business growth through digital adoption.

-- BERNAMA