PERDA’s new Desamall@PERDA Service Truck is a mobile platform to market rural products directly at events, expanding reach for over 1,700 entrepreneurs.
BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) has launched a mobile service truck to promote and market products from rural entrepreneurs.
The Desamall@PERDA Service Truck acts as a mobile promotion and marketing platform to strengthen rural economic development.
PERDA Chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin said the initiative builds on the success of a physical Desamall@PERDA outlet operating in Sungai Dua since 2021.
He stated the truck allows various rural products to be brought directly to ministry programmes, national expos, and state carnivals.
“With the existence of this service truck, the effort to introduce Desamall and PERDA entrepreneurs’ products can be done more effectively,“ he said.
Shaik Hussein described the truck as a mobile business stage, shop, and promotion studio to highlight entrepreneurs’ products.
He added that the approach means they no longer wait for customers but bring products directly to them.
The launch was held at the PERDA Office in Butterworth.
Shaik Hussein noted only one truck is provided as a pilot project, with more to be added if the response is encouraging.
PERDA General Manager Datuk Mohd Asri Baharum said the Desamall platform is a strategy under the Rural Development Policy.
He stated it aligns with the government’s focus on developing rural products and expanding markets, including via e-commerce.
“We genuinely want to help entrepreneurs increase their market reach and subsequently their income,“ Mohd Asri said.
He explained that small entrepreneurs still need support to promote their products effectively.
The service truck is intended to make promotions faster and introduce rural products to more consumers.
Currently, over 1,700 entrepreneurs are under PERDA’s guidance across various fields.
Food and beverage products are the main marketing focus at Desamall.
The platform features 269 types of products produced by 113 rural entrepreneurs.
A total of 545 stock-keeping units (SKUs) are displayed and promoted on the Desamall platform.
