KCCI lauds efforts to address plight of SMEs, SMIs

KOTA KINABALU: The Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has lauded the efforts by the Sabah and Federal government to address the plight facing the Small and Medium Industries (SMIs) and Enterprises (SMEs) in the country, including Sabah due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) implementation to counter the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

KCCI president Datuk Bonipasius Bianis said that the negative impact could be felt by all, includings SMIs and SMEs.

He said that businesses were affected by the MCO imposed by the government since March 18.

Nevertheless, he stated that although the government had decided to extend the MCO to April 14, both the Sabah and Federal governments had taken steps to help SMIs and SMEs.

On the part of the Sabah government, Bonipasius said that the decision to implement the RM670 million Sabah Covid19

Assistance package was a noteworthy effort, stating that the RM40 million Sabah Micro Credit Funding with two percent interest serves as an injection to affected business operations.

He also said that many small business operators were unable to carry out their operations due to the closure of tamu grounds.

Those who depended on their hawker business were also affected since they cannot operate during the duration of the MCO, he said.

Bonipasius added that the allocation of RM50 million under the Sabah SME Fund with 3.5 percent interest would help sustain SMEs and SMIs in Sabah and ensure they do not have to cease their operations.

“This helps to lighten the load of the affected SMEs and SMIs.”

He said that the assistance would help employers to avoid terminating the services of their workers and result in the loss of employment.