RM500 mln loan open to all eligible handicraft makers, homestay operators
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said all applications that fulfill the requirements would be considered for the 2019 RM500 million worth of government loan facilities for handicraft makers and homestay operators.
He stressed that the RM500 million had not been divided between states and the race for the facility is open to all eligible applicants in Malaysia.
"We are looking for the requirement. The criteria is the requirement. That is actually for next year," he siad at the Festival Kraf Borneo 2018 at Lintasan Deasoka here yesterday.
According to Mohamaddin, up to October 2018, Sabah has 2,085 craft entrepreneurs in various fields with the sales value achievement of RM40,295,973 whilst Sarawak has 915 registered craft entrepreneurs with the sales value achievement of RM24,731,224.
He said, up to October 2018 overall, the sales achievement for both states amounted to RM65,027,195 with a 15.42% contribution to the overall value of sales of the Malaysian craft industry of RM421,706,712.
"I am confident that the Festival Kraf Borneo 2018 is capable of achieving a target of more than RM800,000 and thus help to achieve the craft industry target set for 2018 of RM500 million, which is another 15.7% that needs to be achieved," said the minister.
"This is based on a report from Sabah Tourism showing tourist arrivals to Sabah at 3.7 million in 2017. Meanwhile, for Sarawak, the number of tourist arrivals is 4.8 million as shown by Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports," he added.
Amongst the strategic partners of the inaugural festival, running November 23 to December 3 between 9 am to 10 pm, are Kota Kinabalu City Hall, Broadcasting Malaysia Department (RTM) Sabah, Sabah Department of Arts and Culture, Sabah Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Volunteer Department, Voice of Kinabalu (VOKfm), Sarawak Craft Council and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation.