GEORGE TOWN – To get the tourism industry back on track, the Penang government is reopening applications for its zero interest loan, Skim Peka 2.2.
Application for the loan is from July 26 to August 31 and more details on the loan can be obtained from the Penang Development Corporation website.
Tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the zero-interest loan ranges from RM5,000 to RM50,000.
The loan is open to industry players such as licensed hotels that are still in operation, tourism attraction operators, art galleries, spas, reflexology centres and homestays registered with the Tourism and Culture Ministry and other businesses related to the tourism sector.
“We have decided to reopen Skim Peka 2.2 and extend Show Penang’s application to cushion the impact caused by federal incompetence and lack of foresight in curbing the Covid-19,” Yeoh said in a statement today.
“And as for Show Penang, it is a programme aimed at digitising Penang’s creative ecosystem by giving them a platform to conduct shows and performances during this unprecedented period in which physical gatherings have ceased.”
Applications to be showcased in Show Penang are now open from June 30 to December 31. Interested applicants can visit the Show Penang website to apply for it.
The programme is open to performance arts groups and individuals who organise arts events using the online platform.
Each successful applicant will be given a maximum allocation of RM3,000 and the programme is only open to those who are above 18 years old and from Penang.
Yeoh said that the federal government’s bungling efforts and incoherent measures have retarded the nation’s rebound from the pandemic.
“The tourism and creative sectors are now practically at a complete standstill with livelihoods continuing to be a pressing concern.
We feel the woes of our industries and Penang will not play the waiting game. This is our unwavering pledge to help communities in need.
Yeoh said that immediate enactment of effective measures and proper coordination are required by the federal government, or the commendable vaccination rollout thus far will be hampered if infection cases continue to surge.
“Nonetheless, Penang will continue to develop overarching initiatives – such as Skim Peka 2.2 and Show Penang – to keep the industries alive and sustainable. We hope these initiatives will prepare them for the resumption of tourism activities,” he said.
Yeoh said that he is hopeful that Penang’s tourism and creative industries will reboot rapidly when the situation allows, citing that Penang recorded satisfactory tourism benchmarks when interstate restrictions were lifted in December 2020.
“We are ready to lure the domestic market and drive tourism rebound once our interstate borders reopen. But for interstate restrictions to be lifted, putting the virus under control is a prerequisite and falls under the purview of the federal government.” – The Vibes, July 27, 2021
