The government aims to generate RM8.2 billion worth of e-commerce business activities nationwide by 2020.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said as at 2015, some RM7.2 billion worth of such businesses had been recorded.

With better facilities set up by both the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission(MCMC), here had been a daily increase in the usage of e-commerce applications, he told reporters after the Pos Malaysia Berhad office here today.

Jailani said the Sarawak government too had been encouraging the rural folks to venture into e-commerce by making optimal use of the 124 1Malaysia Internet Centres(PI1M) set up by the MCMC or Pos Malaysia.

"These centres are also aimed at narrowing the digital gap between urban and rural areas.

"From 2008 until now, the government had spent RM1.8 billion to provide the necessary infrastructure for better internet and communication access in the state," he said.

The deputy minister said government would also spend RM35 million this year alone to erect around 70 small cells communication towers statewide.

On another matter, Jailani said Pos Malaysia Berhad would spend a total of RM5 million to modernise its post offices in Kapit, Limbang, Serian, Lutong, Bintangor, Sarikei, Saratok and Sri Aman this year.

The Miri Poslaju centre would also be upgraded at the cost of RM1 million. - BERNAMA