Pahang: The National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional), in collaboration with TikTok Shop, today launched the TikTok Shop Live Hub Pahang, a strategic initiative aimed at empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by leveraging the shoppertainment concept. TEKUN Nasional chairman Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said the opening of the TikTok Shop Live Hub in the state brings the total number of studios established to 10, across five locations, namely Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Johor, Kelantan, and Pahang.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, TikTok Shop has played an important role as a digital marketing platform, with its performance to date proving highly encouraging in helping local entrepreneurs expand their market reach. Datuk Abdullah Sani noted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's surprise at the rapid progress in empowering MSMEs through this digital platform. The launch event also featured the presentation of the TikTok Shop Online Promotion and Business Workshop Entrepreneur Award, with Sanggar Collection KTN founder Mohamad Rizal Abdullah taking first place.
Qasyaa founder Siti Sya'erah Syafri secured second place, while Butik Haji Umrah Assafwah founder Mohamad Asyraf Mohd Fuzei came in third. Abdullah Sani expressed confidence that the synergy between TEKUN Nasional financing and the TikTok Shop digital marketing platform would strengthen the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem and enhance the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, TikTok Shop Malaysia director of Strategic Partnerships Nur Azre Abdul Aziz said the TikTok Shop Live Hub facility has delivered encouraging results, with participating entrepreneurs recording sales of about RM700,000 to date. She highlighted that most users of the facility are new entrepreneurs with no prior experience conducting live broadcasts on TikTok.
Nur Azre emphasized the professional set-up of the live broadcasts, which would typically cost tens of thousands of ringgit, is provided free of charge through the collaboration between TikTok Shop and TEKUN Nasional. She also announced plans to open another studio in Penang this year, along with three mini-hubs in Sabah located in Kimanis, Sandakan, and Tawau. With these additions, the total number of studios under TEKUN Nasional is expected to reach 15 by the year's end.
At the same event, TEKUN Nasional presented financing cheques to 10 entrepreneurs to support the expansion of their businesses. Shortcurrent71 founders Jamaludin Mat Zawi and Noor Fatihah Ramli shared their plans to expand operations following rising demand on TikTok, aiming to increase production from 2,000 to 10,000 pieces of clothing with the help of the financing.