Tourism SMEs in Pahang get assistance to recover from COVID-19- Exco

KUANTAN, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- Pahang government through district councils implemented various programmes to support small and medium enterprises in the tourism sector to recover after being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Tourism, Culture, Environment, Plantation and Commodity Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Shakar Shamsudin said among others, the Kuantan Municipal Council (MBK) provided incentives to reduce rental rate by 50 per cent for four months starting June until September for traders renting its premises.

“Other district councils such as in Jerantut, Cameron Highlands and Lipis also provided incentives for SME traders to make tax payment by instalment. This is the decision made which was not conflict with the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171),” he said at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.

Mohd Sharkar said this to reply to a question from Lee Chin Chen (PH-Bilut) who wanted to know if the state government plans to abolish the business licenses and assessment tax for the affected SME tourism due to the pandemic.

Mohd Sharkar said the efforts to promote Pahang tourism products are also intensified, including at the global stage with the involvement of relevant agencies at the Arabian Travel Market in United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May.

In a separate development, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said a total of 5,164 hectares in all districts except Rompin, Bera and Bentong was approved since the implementation of the People’s Land Scheme (STR) from 2021 to June 30 this year, 

The STR is a form of land development with the concept of a Group Land Plan (RTK) to be developed as residential lots or for agricultural activities to further improving the socio-economic status of the community.

 -- BERNAMA