KUCHING – It is the hope of the Sarawak business community that Budget 2022 rescues micro-businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which have been the hardest hit by the adverse impacts of Covid-19.
The recent Sarawak Economic Situation Survey Report by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sarawak (ACCCIS) revealed that out of the 316 respondents, ranging from micro SMEs and SMEs, 80.5% of the respondents reported that their business revenues are still very much below pre-pandemic levels.
Lawyer-activist Voon Shiak Ni said that the private business sector is the most affected with the onslaught of the pandemic, and some are already closed for good.
“I am of the opinion that the thrust of Budget 2022 must be to revive economic activities and at the same time to create more jobs for the many who have lost theirs due to the pandemic.
“Allocations of financial schemes or grants to facilitate, revive and boost SMEs is now the need of the hour to bring in the necessary revenue and employment to sustain the livelihood of the community.
It is my wish that Budget 2022 will provide special allocations for pandemic-hit businesses so that they could push the ‘restart button’ and be on track again.”
The Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders Sarawak head also suggested that financial initiatives and schemes be included as special packages for businesses in the tour, travel, hotel food and entertainment sectors.
“These special packages provided for in Budget 2022 will give the necessary relief and remedy to reset, revive and restore economic activities and livelihoods of the people.”
Voon also said she concurs with ACCCIS secretary-general Jonathan Chai that most businesses in Sarawak continued to suffer severe economic impact from prolonged lockdowns.
“It would take some time to recover from the scarring effects of the pandemic.”
Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party president Lina Soo echoed Voon’s sentiment, saying the government must provide assistance to SMEs as a robust economy via business opportunities, entrepreneurship, and jobs.
“Digitally trained entrepreneurs can scale their businesses by tapping into the global market.”
Soo also highlighted that “made in Sarawak” products need export and logistics facilities so ports with global shipping capabilities have to be established.
On infrastructure, Soo said it is a “necessary expenditure” to bring development to a large rural population such as Sarawak’s.
She raised the issue that the Pan Borneo Highway linking Lundu to Lawas and onward to Sabah, works on which first started in 1966, must be completed without further delay.
“Sarawak needs many more roads and bridges throughout its length and breadth to bring development and progress to the people.” – The Vibes, October 29, 2021
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