The Rural Development Ministry will focus on the development of high-speed internet access infrastructure in rural areas to attract youths to venture into online business.

Its minister Rina Harun said the plan would be implemented through the Digital Village Programme to be launched in the middle of this year.

“We want villages to have not only high-speed Internet access but also of broad coverage, we do not want limited Internet access that is only available in some buildings.

“How can we encourage the youth in rural areas to do business online when it takes half a day to upload a picture of the product,” she told Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.

Rina said the programme would indirectly create employment opportunities for the rural population, thus enabling the youth to build a career and serve in their hometown without having to migrate to the city.

Earlier, Rina, who is also Member of Parliament for Titiwangsa, made a friendly visit to the Jalan Wirawati Main Market meeting hawkers and traders here for over three hours listening to their problems.

Among the issues and suggestions raised are the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, building maintenance as well as offering of entrepreneurship courses to help traders improve their skills and income.

- Bernama