THE Penang government will formulate a special strategy to make sure that the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will remain operational after the movement control order (MCO) is ended.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the strategy is part of the ‘Penang Next Normal Strategies’ to assess the situation and make proper preparations to restore the state’s economic condition.
“We will focus on SME sector because it plays an important part in driving the state economy.
“About 99% of businesses in Penang fall under the SME category with a total economic added value of RM30 billion.
“At the same, SMEs also provide jobs to over 400,000 workers in the state.
“Based on a research by state think tank Penang Institute, the SMIs (small medium industries) and SMEs (small medium enterprises) are the most affected during these challenging times. They involve a huge number of micro-entrepreneurs in this sector.
“They are exposed to business closure and financial constraints to remain operational after the MCO period.
“That is why the state government will prioritise them and ensure they will rise again and continue with their businesses,” Chow told the public via Facebook Live on his Facebook page today.
Chow said he would share the details about the ‘Penang Next Normal Strategies’ beginning this week.
He said apart from the Penang Business Continuity Zero-Interest Loan (also known as the Skim Peka PKS) for SMEs, Chow also urged SME entrepreneurs to move towards digitalisation.
“Digitalisation is important nowadays. So far, only 37.9% of the SME entrepreneurs apply digitalisation in their businesses.
“This is still considered a low number and I hope more SME entrepreneurs will shift towards digitalisation,” he added.
According to Chow, both local councils – Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) – are working hard to encourage digitalisation among hawkers and traders in the state.
“For MBPP, they have launched an online delivery platform known as Jom Beli Online to help hawkers and small-time traders operating at MBPP complexes to sell their food during the MCO period.
“Meanwhile, MBSP will set up an e-portal on April 16 to help Ramadan bazaar traders to do their business online.
“And also I was informed that traders who registered through Jom Beli Online platform have started to record an increase in their sales revenue. A big congratulation to them!” he said.
As of today, Chow said there is no new Covid-19 cluster recorded in Penang.
“Penang also has the second-lowest Covid-19 positive cases per 100,000 population in the country after Kedah.
“This shows that our efforts to curb the spread of the virus are successful so far through our Penang Fight Covid-19 campaign.
“But still, we cannot be complacent and I urge all to continue to adhere to the MCO enforcement,” Chow said.
Chow also said that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had already been informed of the state’s special requests made on April 6 to overcome the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Among the requests were to increase and simplify the Covid-19 screening test procedure, urge the Home Minister to implement movement control on borders of Penang state and urge the Human Resources Ministry and International Trade & Industry (MITI) Ministry to establish and enforce the Environment, Health and Safety protocol.
“Thus I hope, the Federal government will make the decision as soon as possible regarding our requests,” he added.
At the end of his speech, Chow encouraged all Penangites to stay strong, be patient and continue to comply with the MCO enforcement to curb the spread of Covid-19.
He also wished the Christian community in the state a Happy Easter.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix and Video by Law Suun Ting