Celcom Axiata Berhad in its continuous commitment to support and develop local vendors within the digital ecosystem, launched its Vendor Development Programme (VDP) 2.0, a new scheme of its VDP that aims at further enhancing the capabilities and competitiveness ecosystem of its vendors to meet the future opportunities and challenges of the fourth industrial revolution (IR4.0).
With a focus on Nurturing Innovation, Celcom will provide and facilitate capacity building programs, access to funding and technology ‘sandbox’ whilst continuing to support business matching exercises for its vendors, locally and abroad.
Since its inception in 2016, a total of 50 local vendors are registered under the VDP programme; out of which two vendors were listed as local champions, and one vendor as regional champion. With this programme, Celcom also aims to create global champions soon.
With the launch of its VDP 2.0, Celcom aims to increase and include new vendors particularly those who are keen to venture into high growth and innovative enterprises.
Celcom’s VDP 2.0 is also aligned with one the six thrusts within the Government’s National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 (DKN2030) – which aims to promote economic growth through innovation; part of a long-term strategy designed to set the direction of national entrepreneurship development in making Malaysia an entrepreneurial nation by 2030. Guided by this thrust, Celcom will be promoting adaptation of IoT and digitalisation, and further prepare SMEs towards IR4.0.
Celcom’s VDP 2.0 was launched by Yang Berhormat Datuk Wira Dr. Mohd Hatta Md. Ramli, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development, during the Vendor Innovation Partnership Programme 2019, a two-day entrepreneurial programme gathering anchor GLCs, GLICs, and private companies that drive Vendor Development Programme, held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Idham Nawawi, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad said that the revamped programme by Celcom is crucial, especially with the current economic landscape development and vast development of digitalisation within multiple industries in Malaysia.
“This initiative is one way for Celcom to contribute in advancing Malaysian societies, building the nation, not only beneficial for its vendors’ growth, but also for the overall economy to the nation.
“We aspire to grow these vendors’ competencies to complement the industry that is immensely evolving into a digital and IoT driven ecosystem. SMEs may have setbacks in undertaking digital transformation on their own. The transformation must be facilitated by the government and technology providers such as Celcom, through collaborative facilities for SMEs in skills development, funding, technology and e-commerce.
“VDP 2.0 will pave the way for us to advance our vendors into becoming champions at national, regional and international level by making them to be more competitive and further strengthening their capabilities towards IR4.0. This will further develop their readiness to participate in a larger market and upscale their businesses.
“As Malaysia’s economic landscape is still majorly driven by SMEs, we hope that this initiative will further create immense possibilities for the nation’s economic growth, such as the creation of high-skilled talents in the job market and innovation of products and services”, he added.
Celcom’s VDP 2.0 Framework encompasses an enhanced criteria of vendor selection which emphasizes on Shared Prosperity and Inclusivity, including a graduation programme for existing vendors to implement a multi-tier approach and to focus on Celcom’s business ecosystem comprising of network, IoT, digital services and content.