IN ITS effort to empower local entrepreneurs, Shopee is collaborating with the Rural Development Ministry (KPLB) and its e-commerce enable Elokal to market the Desaauto@KPLB automotive speciality store. About products will be made available on Shopee via the Desaauto@KPLB official store, including automotive parts by rural entrepreneurs such as tyres, spare parts and engine oil. Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said Desaauto@KPLB was expected to benefit over 200 rural entrepreneurs involved in manufacturing and distributing automotive parts. She said the collaboration would give them the opportunity to reach new potential customers across the country through Shopee’s cross-border service. “Around 24% of the population live in rural areas and the ministry’s main focus is to improve the infrastructure, economic standing and income of the rural folk. A lot needs to be done in rural areas,” she said at the launch in W Kuala Lumpur. “Our goal for 2020 is to groom 5,000 new rural entrepreneurs. We have laid the groundwork and are confident that we will be able to achieve this target. “The onus is now on the rural folk to step up and harness these opportunities presented to them,” she added. Desaauto@KPLB was launched following the success of the Desamall@KPLB official store launched in October, which has seen overwhelming response over the past month, indicating automotive parts garnering the highest sales. “Desamall@KPLB and Desaauto@KPLB on Shopee are two of KPLB’s initiatives that will allow rural entrepreneurs to ride the wave of e-commerce, in tandem with the fourth industrial revolution,” Rina added. The launch of Desaauto@KPLB was held in celebration of Shopee’s 12.12 Birthday Sale. Shopee regional managing director Ian Ho said until Dec 12, shoppers get to enjoy a slew of attractive deals and exciting activities, including daily RM12 deals, free shipping with RM12 minimum spend and 12 million Shopee coin up for grabs on Shopee Catch. To further hype up the 12.12 Birthday Sale celebration, shoppers can look forward to exclusive deals and discounts from Mydin, Petronas, Aeon Big, Castrol, DNA by Dynas, Mikaseries, Bridgestone Bicycle, Xixili, SimplySiti by Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Phewiiit by Amy Search, C’ by Jane Chuck, White Fluffy by Janna Nick, Pureen and Bum Equipment, among others. Users can also reload their mobile phones and pay their Astro, water and electricity bills via the all-news Reloads, Vouchers and Bills features on the app, where they stand a chance to earn a special limited- time 10% coins cashback, with an upsize 12% cashback only on Dec 12. It is limited to one-time cashback per user. “We want to wrap up 2019 with a meaningful celebration that benefits all Malaysians,” said Ho. “The launch of Desaauto@KPLB is a continuation of our efforts to empower and enable local entrepreneurs and give them the tools to thrive and succeed in online business. “They can use our free sellers workshop Shopee University which teaches them how to optimise their businesses online while we curate and localise campaigns to attract the right crowd for all our sellers to achieve better sales performance. “The Shopee 12.12 Birthday Sale is also designed to thank users for their incredible support with a big finale of the best deals in town. “We have put all these and other exclusive privileges together so Malaysians can join us in this celebration and end the year on a high note,” he added.