THE Penang government will be working with Ecommerce company Shopee to encourage more traders to take their business online.
Penang State Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar said the Penang State Executive Council meeting had approved a RM500,000 allocation two days ago to promote Ecommerce.
“The collaboration between the Penang government and Shopee will provide a chance for ‘conventional’ traders to ride on the online platform.
“Small-time traders can use the Shopee online platform to promote their products. It will be on a first come, first served basis.
“The platform provides certain rebates and discounts for consumers too.
“This is one of the state’s initiatives to help small-time business owners,” he said during the ‘Sembang Penang Produktif: Penang Lawan Covid-19’ webinar today.
The webinar was jointly organised by the Penang government and the northern region Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC northern region).
Abdul Razak said the Penang government has allocated RM30 million to assist small and medium industries (SMIs) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
“The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) is managing the allocation (which is also known as the Penang Business Continuity Zero-Interest Loan, or Skim Peka PKS).
“Besides the zero-interest loan, the state has also provide direct financial assistance to help the affected traders. We have identified 72,781 traders in Penang.
“Various incentives were given to ease their financial burden such as rent exemptions or postponements,” he said.
On matters pertaining to the tourism industry, Abdul Razak said that the Penang government was concerned about the sector.
“The Penang Chief Minister had virtually engaged the tourism players to gather feedbacks from the industry and to discuss the short, mid and long term efforts that can be taken to revive the sector.
“The tourism sector is divided into two categories – foreign and domestic. The Penang government must focus on promoting domestic tourism to revive the sector.
“Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin had a series of discussion with the tourism players to obtain input for the Penang Tourism Master Plan.
“The Penang government is reviewing the master plan due to the Covid-19 crisis. The state would like to review and amend the master plan, to include certain ideas especially with regard to domestic tourism,” he said.
Abdul Razak said the RM10 million allocation under the Penang Business Continuity Zero-Interest Loan, specifically for the tourism sector, could provide the opportunity for the industry players to progress.
He also spoke on the state’s RM151 million Penang People’s Aid Packages, Penang’s effort to assist those who are looking for employment and the Penang Next Normal Strategy, among others.
The webinar, attended by about 600 participants, was moderated by MPC deputy director-general Ab. Rahim Yusoff.
Story by Christopher Tan