Perbincangan ini bertujuan untuk meneroka peluang kerjasama antara RFBPN dan Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia dalam memperkasa usahawan peruncitan dan F&B, dengan fokus meningkatkan produktiviti dan daya saing melalui penerapan teknologi digital. Satu daripada inisiatif utama yang dibincangkan adalah Retail Artificial Intelligence Smart Evolution (RAISE), yang bertujuan membantu perniagaan peruncitan dan F&B beralih ke operasi pintar dengan memanfaatkan teknologi AI untuk meningkatkan kecekapan dan pengurusan sumber. Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia memberi sokongan penuh terhadap RAISE dan percaya inisiatif ini akan memberi peluang kepada usahawan untuk mengintegrasikan AI dalam operasi perniagaan mereka, seterusnya memperkukuh kedudukan mereka dalam pasaran yang semakin kompetitif. Seterusnya, tiga sesi kesedaran akan dilaksanakan yang melibatkan peniaga runcit dalam kategori F&B. Sesi-sesi ini bertujuan untuk memberi penerangan tentang manfaat teknologi digital, khususnya AI, dalam meningkatkan kecekapan operasi dan mengurangkan kos.

Dr. Mazrina Mohamed Ibramsah briefed MAIA members on MPC key initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity. These include the Productivity in Context (PIC) program, AI Productivity Transformation, the e-Productivity Clinic, and various regulatory reforms, all designed to support the advancement of productivity across industries. Over 30 MAIA members attended the session, showing strong interest in these initiatives. MPC has expressed its expectation for MAIA members to actively participate in these programs, contributing to the collective efforts to drive productivity improvements and foster long-term economic growth.

Tujuan utama inisiatif ini adalah untuk meningkatkan kecekapan melalui mempercepatkan proses kelulusan fasiliti kesihatan dan mengurangkan bebanan peraturan kepada peniaga. Ini dapat meningkatkan produktiviti daya saing sektor kesihatan di Sarawak. Antara komponen utama inisiatif ini, pendekatan Pelan Sedia Digunakan (Ready-to-Use Plan) telah dibangunkan. Konsep ini merujuk kepada pelan pembangunan fasiliti kesihatan yang telah direka bentuk berdasarkan spesifikasi minimum yang ditetapkan oleh agensi kawal selia teknikal. Pelan ini boleh digunakan terus oleh pelabur untuk melaksanakan projek melalui kelulusan awal bersyarat yang membolehkan pelaksanaan lebih pantas dan cekap. Sejumlah lima pelan telah disediakan yang merangkumi reka bentuk asas bagi pembangunan klinik perubatan dan klinik pergigian, bersesuaian dengan keperluan operasi standard di lapangan. Inisiatif ini akan diteruskan dengan melibatkan penyediaan lima pelan sedia guna yang patuh kepada keperluan teknikal semasa, dan proses perolehan kelulusan rasmi daripada pihak berkuasa teknikal yang berkaitan. Ia juga merangkumi perancangan pelaksanaan projek rintis melalui pemilihan 5 klinik swasta bagi menguji keberkesanan model kelulusan yang lebih cepat ini. Hasil yang disasarkan daripada pelaksanaan inisiatif ini termasuklah pengurangan tempoh kelulusan fasiliti kesihatan daripada 12–18 bulan kepada kurang 6 bulan, peningkatan kemasukan pelaburan swasta ke dalam sektor kesihatan di Sarawak, dan pembukaan lebih banyak peluang pekerjaan berkemahiran dalam sektor ini. Di samping itu, inisiatif ini dijangka memberi kesan positif terhadap peningkatan akses kepada perkhidmatan kesihatan berkualiti pada kos yang lebih kompetitif untuk rakyat. Secara keseluruhan, pelaksanaan inisiatif ini menyokong aspirasi pembangunan strategik di bawah Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 dan memperkukuh peranan Sarawak sebagai hab kesihatan serantau yang kompetitif dan berprestasi tinggi. Bengkel yang dianjurkan turut menjadi platform kolaborasi strategik antara kerajaan dan industri ke arah transformasi produktiviti sektor kesihatan negara. #SarawakProduktif #MemacuProduktivitiNegara

The engagement with Kembang Subur Sdn. Bhd. under the AFPN initiative highlighted how digital and energy-efficient solutions can enhance aquaculture operations. By adopting solar energy and high-efficiency motors for night-time aeration, the farm could reduce operational costs by up to RM240,000 annually. Automation and real-time monitoring using IoT and AI technologies will further increase productivity by reducing feed wastage, lowering shrimp mortality, and potentially boosting annual revenue by RM1 million. Streamlining MyGAP certification and strengthening traceability systems — including compliance with specific requirements such as the Food Quality Certification (FQC) for the European market — will facilitate export processes and improve market access by ensuring product safety, quality, and transparency in the supply chain. Separately, the development of local broodstock R&D is critical to reduce dependence on imported broodstock. This will contribute to national aquaculture sustainability and enable the production of shrimp strains that are better adapted to Malaysia’s culture environment, thereby improving farm performance and biosecurity resilience.

A recent session was held to equip participants with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance workplace efficiency and productivity. Approximately 30 businesses and industry representatives affiliated with the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM) took part in this initiative, which showcased the potential of Microsoft CoPilot in transforming daily work processes. Technologist Olya Dollah from Using Technology Better (UTB) conducted the session, unlocking the full capabilities of Microsoft CoPilot. The participants were exposed with practical applications for front-desk operations, including managing inbound and outbound emails, data collection, basic data analytics, and task reporting. Participants were given the opportunity to explore these functions firsthand, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the tool’s capabilities through experiential learning. By the end of the session, participants expressed enthusiasm about the possibilities offered by Microsoft CoPilot. Many saw its potential to significantly ease administrative burdens, particularly for micro-enterprises. The tool is expected to boost productivity and profitability by automating routine tasks and freeing up valuable time for more strategic work.

A productive session was held to discuss the key issues and challenges faced by the retail and F&B industries. The findings will be presented at the upcoming NGC meeting to gather feedback from members. The input received will help shape targeted solutions, and a structured engagement plan will be developed to ensure ongoing collaboration and support for these sectors.

MEPN recently held a strategic meeting with potential partners to discuss the rollout of its upcoming Risk to Resilience workshop series. The session brought together representatives from financial institutions, technology providers, and industry bodies to explore collaboration opportunities in support of SMEs within the Machinery & Equipment (M&E) sector. The Risk to Resilience series, spearheaded in collaboration with the Malaysia Association of Sustainable Supply Chain & Innovation (MASSCI), aims to equip SMEs with practical risk management strategies, financial innovation tools, and digital solutions such as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The initiative is designed to drive productivity, sustainability, and resilience among M&E SMEs by strengthening partnerships across the ecosystem.