ACCCIS hopes for Sarawak’s version of Wage Subsidy Programme to help local SMEs

The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak ( ACCCIS) hopes that the Sarawak government could come up with a comprehensive version of the Wage Subsidy Programme ( WSP) for smallmedium enterprises (SMEs) in the state, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

ACCCIS secretary- general Jonathan Chai said WSP represented a direct financial assistance to help businesses that had been struggling to stay afloat during this difficult period.

“Considering the fact that SMEs are the backbone of our economy, it would be ideal if our state government could come up with a comprehensive Sarawak version of WSP to help SMEs in the state,” he told The Borneo Post here yesterday in responding to a study announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Thursday about the type of financial assistance or loan that could be provided to the SMEs in Sarawak.

It is expected that the study would be carried out by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development, of which its minister-in- charge Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan would announce the details later on.

“I fervently appeal to them (relevant ministry) to seriously consider offering meaningful assistance and support to the SMEs in Sarawak under such extraordinary and difficult circumstances,” said Chai, also expressing the local businesses’ gratitude for the state government’s Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 5.0, which was announced on Thursday.

“Actually, some of the measures like discounts on payments for utilities bills, assessment rates and stall rentals had been put in place previously.

“The government has now prolonged the implementation so that the affected individuals and businesses could obtain extended help from these measures,” he said.

Adding on, Chai said ACCCIS’ recent survey indicated that WSP was widely regarded by businesses, especially the entrepreneurs, as the most effective measure to overcome the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.