PENANG is prepared to face the possibility of a stricter control to curb the rising number of Covid-19 cases.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said some of the other states had already taken necessary steps by implementing a ‘renewed’ movement control order (MCO).
“What’s next for Penang will be decided in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tomorrow (May 7).
“In the past two weeks, the number of cases has continued to increase and we need to be ready for any eventuality.
“Although we were happy to see the reduction of cases at one point, the number has been on an upward trend since then,” he said in his speech before launching the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) Business Events Penang Annual Review 2020 at St Giles The Wembley Hotel today.
Today, Penang recorded a new high of 305 cases, bringing the cumulative number to 20,945 cases.
With the increase of daily cases, Chow noted that the pandemic has affected the people’s livelihoods and economy.
He, however, pointed out that the state government has not given up its effort in shoring up the tourism industry.
“It’s unimaginable that I have launched two tourism-related events in this week alone. On Monday, I had launched the Penang Tourism Master Plan and I am also here now to witness the launching of Business Events Penang Annual Review 2020.
“This shows our commitment to assist the industry,” he said, adding that the state was ready for any challenges ahead.
He said the state, together with PCEB, would continue to move forward through the Penang Next Normal Strategy.
“This strategy consists of three primary missions, which are strengthening the ecosystem, coordinating the ecosystem according to the changes of the 21st century, and building up resilience against any future crisis.
“Despite the pandemic which hit us in the first quarter of last year, Penang still managed to record RM14.1 billion investments last year with about 75% of it from foreign direct investments (FDI).
“The manufacturing investments in Penang were related to the state’s key industries such as electrical and electronics (E&E), machinery and equipment, scientific and measuring equipment, and medical devices industries.
“Nevertheless, I hope the annual review from PCEB will act as a guide and a plan to recreate the strategies for future businesses.
“I would like thank PCEB as well as the industry players for the trust and confidence in the state,” Chow added.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state and PCEB have been working to restart the business tourism to ensure sustainability and resilience.
“We have achieved a total of 156 events with 19,283 delegates last year, which garnered an Estimated Economic Impact (EEI) of RM66 million.
“Through the events, our hotels and accommodation had managed to record a total of more than 44,044 room nights.
“The EEI contributed by the business events industry shows its importance in a healthy build-up for the state’s economy.
“We thank PCEB and the business events industry for their resilience and support to state,” he said in his speech.
PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran expressed hopes to rebuild the business events industry.
“I have full trust and confidence that we will continue to do our best to bring business events industry to greater heights,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Alissala Thian