Budget 2021 a let-down for business events industry, says MACEOS President

The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) viewed the recent Budget 2021 as a let-down for its lack of allocation for the business events industry. 

“It was disappointing that zero allocation was given to help the recovery efforts, protect jobs, and support the Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in our industry,” said MACEOS President, Francis Teo. 

The lack of financial support is a huge blow to industry players currently struggling to stay afloat, he says. Losses in revenue were estimated at RM2.25 billion, a drop of 90 percent since March when the movement control order (MCO) was imposed, and all business events were prohibited.

In addition, a total of 5,610 employees (equivalent to 17 percent of the total industry workforce) had been laid off due to the pandemic.

“Not only is there a lack of financial support, but as long as no business events are allowed to be held under the areas of CMCO and borders remain closed, the industry will not be able to sustain for much longer,” Teo highlighted.

“We ask that the Government allow business events to re-open. The National Security Council has approved the standard operating procedures for business events. We can adjust participant numbers according to alert levels and venue size,” he appealed.

MACEOS has submitted several proposals to the Government for relaxed taxation, access to financing, and financial subsidies. Among them were:

  • Extend the sales and service tax exemption to purpose-built convention and exhibition centres
  • Extend the wage subsidy programme until June 2021 with the inclusion of those earning RM6,000 and below
  • Extend the loan moratorium until June 2021
  • Double-tax deduction to support industry players in their business transformation towards event digitalisation
  • Interest-free soft loans to help businesses to finance their digital software and hardware investment so that they can pivot to providing virtual event services for both domestic and international clients. 

“I hope the Government will reconsider the distribution of financial assistance and provision of incentives to help our industry which has demonstrated its potential as a catalyst for economic growth in the past,” he added.

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