Image credit: Pagar Putih
ALOR STAR: Business operators in Kedah have been urged to adopt cashless transactions to remain competitive in line with consumers preference.
State Secretary Datuk Paduka Ammar Shaikh Mahmood Naim said traders stand to gain more from adopting cashless transactions.
He said it would help to improve business efficiency and effectiveness as well as reducing errors in transactions and ensuring the safety of traders.
"Cashless transactions have been widely implemented in Malaysia, however its used by only a small number of traders.
"Many traders are still going about business as usual, while digital technology has dominated economic activities extensively and improved the effectiveness and efficiency of doing business.
"As a result, business operators are not growing in line with current needs and circumstances," he said when launching the 'Pekan Rabu Goes Cashless' programme which was initiated by the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) here today.
Present was MPC director-general Datuk Abdul Latif Abu Seman.
Ammar urged traders at the iconic Kedah shopping destination to adopt the new way of running their business.
"Through the use of cashless apps, merchants can also monitor and manage income in a more orderly and controlled manner."
The initiative was in line with Kedah Development Plan 2035's economic prosperity goal, which aimed at enhancing rapid economic growth through a conducive and inclusive business ecosystem.
'Pekan Rabu Goes Cashless' is a collaboration between the Kedah government, government agencies, traders' associations, Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, MyDigital Corporation, PayNet, and traders in Pekan Rabu.
When commenting on the initiative, Latif said MPC would continue to intensify productivity improvement programmes through digitalisation at the firm-level to improve competitiveness of local enterprises.
"During this economic recovery phase, efforts to boost productivity growth should start at the individual and enterprise-level as this will have a direct impact on productivity performance at the sectoral, state, and national levels.
"When cashless payment applications are widely implemented, it is a win-win situation for merchants and customers as managing business transactions are more efficient, faster and easier for both parties."
He said the programme which was first implemented in Kulim will also be expanded to Padang Besar, Perlis and other locations nationwide.
Meanwhile, perfume shop trader, Arifin Mohd Nor, 38, who was among the first batch of Pekan Rabu traders who adopted cashless transactions, affirmed the benefits of this method of business.
"I was amongst the earliest to use the service here in Pekan Rabu and it has definitely helped my business a lot since it makes payment transactions hassle-free.
"It is easier for me whenever I deal with customers outside Kedah, such as those from the Klang Valley and southern states who prefer cashless transactions," he said.
Jewellery and scarves store cashier, Nurafiqah Amran, 25, said that cashless transaction have helped to generate more sales as customers were more inclined to spend without the hassle of carrying cash.
"It makes everything so much easier, especially for young people who can just purchase by swiping cards or by scanning QR codes or by transferring cash online," she said.
Baju Melayu trader, Mohd Rizal Md Rodhi, 34 , said the success stories of other traders who adopted cashless transactions had convinced him to adopt the system.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/803665/kedah-traders-urged-go-cashless-remain-competitive